To analyze the clinical, pathological and endoscopic features of fungal esophagitis, summarize diagnostic and treatment experienceand improve the understanding of fungal esophagitis.

A retrospective analysis of 40 cases of fungal esophagitis patients were conducted.All cases were diagnosed in Endoscopy Center of Minhang Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from January 2016 to January 2018.Moreover, gastroscope and etiological examination were performed, and the pathology results have been confirmed by pathologists.

The 40 patients were diagnosed with fungal esophagitis.There were 28 males(70.0%)and 12 females(30.0%), and males were more than females.Tthe age ranged from 32 to 88 years old(median age: 64 years old). Among these cases, 30-50 years old patients accounted for 27.5%(11 cases), 50-70 years old patients accounted for 50.0%(20 cases)and>70 years old accounted for 22.5%(9 cases). The main symptoms of fungal esophagitis included upper abdominal discomfort(25.0%)and acid reflux(35.0%). Endoscopic classification was mainly concentrated in type Ⅱ(67.5%), and most of the patients were commonly with diabetes(40.0%)and followed by ulcerative colitis(25.0%).

Fungal esophagitis is more common in men.Endoscopic findings plus pathogenic examination is the main method to diagnose this disease.The most common pathogen is Candida albicans.Therefore, the first-line treatment is fluconazole, which is used for antifungal treatment.At the same time, it is necessary to cure the combined diseases.There is still a lack of consensus on the application of proton pump inhibitors for fungal esophagitis patients.For those who have not fully recovered after a long time treatment, physicians should be alert to the possibility of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection.