Acute eosinophilic pneumonia caused by Candida albicans

SummaryA 36-year-old man was transferred to the hospital for further evaluation of pulmonary infiltration. A diagnosis of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) was confirmed by clinical symptoms, bronchoalveolar lavage, and computed tomography findings. Skin tests with fungal antigens were performed by intradermal injection. Both the Arthus (8 h) and delay (24 h)-type skin tests were positive for only Candida albicans. A lymphocyte-stimulating test was also positive for C. albicans. The etiology of the AEP was confirmed by a C. albicans inhalation provocation test. In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from the patient produced Interleukin-5 following C. albicans stimulation. This is the first report of C. albicans as a probable cause of AEP. Evaluation of allergy to C. albicans should be performed in AEP before diagnosing the cause as idiopathic.