Candida esophagitis associated with mycophenolate mofetil treatment of atopic dermatitis

Objective: To describe a case in which a patient developed Candida esophagitis (CE) after treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for 22 months. Case Summary: A 59-year-old Caucasian female with long-standing history of AD successfully treated with MMF presented to the dermatology clinic for follow-up appointment with 3 months' history of projectile vomiting, choking, and trouble swallowing. Patient underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) that demonstrated whitish plaques in esophagus consistent with CE, which was confirmed by biopsy and cytology. Discussion and Conclusion: MMF is a lymphocyte selective immunosuppressive agent that has demonstrated very good therapeutic effects against cutaneous inflammatory skin disease and proved to have good efficacy and bioavailability. Generally, MMF is a safe medication with relatively low side effects. There are no case reports to date that describe CE in patients treated with MMF. Clinicians should be aware of this rare complication to enable timely intervention and treatment.