Successful Surgical Treatment of a Huge Candida albicans Aortic Fungus Ball with Pseudoaneurysm.

A 70-year-old woman with a history of aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was transferred to the authors' hospital for further management of a three-month fever of unknown origin. Computed tomography showed a huge mass in the ascending aorta with pseudoaneurysm. Blood β-D-glucan levels were significantly high, and blood culture showed the growth of Candida albicans.

Polymyxin-B immobilized column-direct hemoperfusion for adolescent toxic shock syndrome.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a critical illness associated with toxin from Staphylococcus aureus. Despite recent advances in critical care, mortality remains high and additional effective therapy is required. We report an adolescent case of TSS successfully treated with direct hemoperfusion using polymyxin-B immobilized fiber (PMX-DHP).