Candida Blastospores and Pseudohyphae in Blood Smears

THE most common fungi responsible for systemic infection in the compromised host are species of candida.1 2 3 4 5 In a recent review of a total experience with deep fungal infections in an inpatient population at Stanford, 58 per cent were reported to be caused by candida species, and all occurred in patients with serious underlying disorders.5 Despite an awareness of the great frequency of systemic candida infections in this type of patient, the diagnosis was made before autopsy in only about 50 per cent of the cases.Our observation of pseudohyphae and blastospores in smears of peripheral venous blood and central-venous-pressure (CVP) . . .