Fungal colonization in the very low birth weight infant

In the neonate, fungal infections result in significant morbidity and mortality. For very low birth weight (less than 1,500 g) infants, we prospectively determined the fungal colonization rate to be 26.7%. In one third of infants with fungal colonies, mucocutaneous candidiasis developed, and in 7.7%, systemic disease developed. Two thirds of the infants had colonies in the first week of life. This colonization was probably acquired during labor and delivery, because those infants who had colonization were more often delivered vaginally than by cesarean section. Early colonization, commonly from the gastrointestinal or respiratory tract, featured Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Late colonization, occurring after 2 weeks of life (15.0% of patients), was more likely to be cutaneous and was associated with either Candida parapsilosis or such poor growth that the organism could not be identified. Infants with colonization only rarely had budding yeasts (6.1%), whereas more than half of the infants with either a urinalysis showing budding yeasts or a urine culture growing fungi had invasive disease. Fungal contamination was not found on either thoracotomy tubes or catheter tips. In the low birth weight infant, fungal colonization represents a significant risk factor for cutaneous or systemic candidiasis in these infants.     

Twice weekly fluconazole prophylaxis for prevention of invasive Candida infection in high-risk infants of <1000 grams birth weight

OBJECTIVES: We tested the hypothesis that twice weekly prophylactic dosing of fluconazole prevents invasive candidiasis without promoting resistant Candida species in high-risk, preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: We compared our previous dosing schedule (Group A) to a less frequent dosing schedule of twice a week (Group B) of fluconazole prophylaxis for up to 6 weeks in a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial in preterm infants weighing <1000 grams at birth and with an endotracheal tube and/or central vascular catheter over a 24-month period. Weekly surveillance cultures were obtained on study patients. RESULTS: Candida colonization was documented in 5 (12%) of 41 Group A and in 4 (10%) of 40 Group B infants. Candida sepsis developed in two (5%) of Group A and one (3%) of Group B infants (risk difference, -0.02; 95% confidence interval, -0.14-0.10; P=.68). All fungal isolates remained sensitive to fluconazole, and no drug side effects were documented. CONCLUSIONS: Twice weekly dosing of prophylactic fluconazole can decrease Candida colonization and invasive infection, cost, and patient exposure in high-risk, preterm infants weighing <1000 grams at birth. We speculate that lower and less frequent dosing may delay or prevent the emergence of antifungal resistance.     

Systemic candidiasis in very low-birth-weight infants (less than 1,500 grams)

Previous reports in the literature have documented that systemic infection with Candida albicans in very premature infants is frequently fatal (54%) or associated with significant morbidity in survivors (25%). Five patients with a mean birth weight of 829 g had a diagnosis of systemic candidiasis during their stay in a newborn intensive care unit. All infants survived with minimal sequelae following aggressive early treatment with amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine. A review of these five extremely premature infants and 26 previously reported patients suggests the following: (1) disseminated candidiasis is common in the absence of positive findings in blood, CSF, and/or urine cultures; (2) transient candidemia rarely resolves without therapy; (3) meningitis and osteoarthritis occur more frequently than in older patients with disseminated disease; and (4) premature infants tolerate amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine well. Infants who are found to have systemic cultures positive for candidiasis should be treated by (1) removing all factors that predispose to systemic candidiasis (eg, indwelling catheters, broad-spectrum antibiotics); (2) early initiation of systemic antifungal therapy with amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine; and (3) searching for additional foci of disease. After the disease is recognized and treatment is prompt and aggressive, outcome can be substantially improved.     

Mucocutaneous and invasive candidiasis among very low birth weight (less than 1,500 grams) infants in intensive care nurseries: a prospective study

To determine whether mucocutaneous candidiasis presages the development of invasive candidiasis and to assess factors influencing the development of mucocutaneous candidiasis and invasive candidiasis among infants requiring neonatal intensive care, all infants admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit during a 47-month period were prospectively examined twice weekly for mucocutaneous candidiasis. Because 16 of 18 (89%) infants in whom invasive candidiasis (defined by positive cultures of blood, CSF, deep tissue or greater than or equal to 2 supra-pubic urine aspirates) developed had birth weights less than 1,500 g, further analysis was focused toward the very low birth weight group. Of 358 very low birth weight infants hospitalized for less than three days and serially studied until discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit, mucocutaneous candidiasis developed in 28 (7.8%), invasive candidiasis developed in 16 (4.5%), and in 323 there was no evidence of mucocutaneous candidiasis or invasive candidiasis. Although many risk factors were shown by univariate analysis to be significantly more common among those with invasive candidiasis and mucocutaneous candidiasis, adjustment for the covariant effects of duration of hospitalization and gestational age revealed that only prolonged duration of antibiotic therapy and duration of endotracheal intubation were significantly associated with invasive candidiasis. Invasive candidiasis developed later in nine of 28 (32%) infants with mucocutaneous candidiasis despite nystatin therapy of mucocutaneous candidiasis in all nine (median duration of therapy before invasive candidiasis, nine days). Very low birth weight infants in whom mucocutaneous candidiasis develops are at significantly greater risk of invasive candidiasis developing later than those in whom mucocutaneous candidiasis did not develop (9/28 v 7/330, P less than .001).     

Systemic Candida infections in infants in intensive care nurseries: high incidence of central nervous system involvement

The clinical courses in 27 infants with culture or autopsy evidence of systemic candidiasis were reviewed. Twenty-two infants (group 1) had persistent signs of sepsis and clinical deterioration or died before institution of antifungal therapy. Five infants (group 2) improved markedly before culture results were reported, and recovered without systemic antifungal therapy. Fourteen infants in group 1 (64%) had central nervous system infection. Of four patients in whom CNS involvement was diagnosed only postmortem, antemortem cerebrospinal fluid from three was abnormal despite sterile cultures; no antemortem CSF was obtained in the other. In meningitis caused by susceptible organisms addition of flucytosine sterilized CSF within 5 days, although prior amphotericin monotherapy had been unsuccessful. Of 14 patients in group 1 who received systemic antifungal therapy, only one died with Candida infection. Toxicity from antifungal agents occurred in 11 of 13 successfully treated infants, but was reversible in every case except one by modifying the dosage. Our data indicate that (1) CNS infection is very common in infants with systemic candidiasis, (2) combined flucytosine-amphotericin therapy may facilitate treatment of CNS infection and should be the initial therapy for systemic candidiasis in infants, (3) Gram stains of CSF and urine enhance early diagnosis, (4) isolation of Candida from normally sterile body fluids in high-risk infants should be considered pathogenic and therapy initiated unless the clinical course strongly suggests otherwise, and (5) toxicity from antifungal agents is common but usually reversible.     

The Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (SEIP) recommendations on the diagnosis and management of invasive candidiasis

Candida yeasts are ubiquitous commensals, which can cause opportunistic infection in any location of the body. The source of infection may be both endogenous and exogenous. Invasive candidiasis encompasses different entities ranging from invasive candidiasis to disseminated multiorgan infection. Invasive candidiasis is the third leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infection and the fourth of all nosocomial infections. It is also the most common invasive fungal infection in non-neutropenic critically ill patients, with a remarkable increase in the last 20 years owing to the increased survival of these patients and to more complex diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures. Its incidence in infants, according to recent reviews, stands at 38.8 cases/100,000 children younger than 1 year. Candida albicans remains the most frequent isolate in invasive infections, although infections caused by other species have risen in the last years, such as C. kruzsei, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis; the latter causing invasive candidiasis mainly associated with central venous catheter management, especially in neonatal units. The overall mortality of invasive candidiasis is high, with 30-day mortality reaching 20-44% in some series involving paediatric patients. This report provides an update on incidence, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of invasive infection by Candida spp. in the paediatric patient.     

新生儿侵袭性真菌感染67例临床分析

目的 探讨新生儿侵袭性真菌感染的临床特点.方法 选取2009年1月至2010年12月收治的67例侵袭性真菌感染新生儿病例,分析其病原、高危因素、临床特点、实验室检查及转归情况.结果 67例患儿均为念珠菌属感染,以白色念珠菌感染最为常见,占47.7%,其次为光滑假丝酵母菌,占43.3%;早产儿占所有病例的91.0%,其中50%以上的早产儿胎龄≤ 32周,9例存在先天性消化道畸形,11例合并有巨细胞病毒感染;25例患儿真菌感染前经外周中心静脉插管(PICC)置管时间≥ 14 d,16例气管插管机械通气治疗时间＞ 7 d;35例(52.2%)患儿白细胞计数＜ 10 × 109 /L,46例(68.7%)患儿有血小板下降,其中33例持续≥ 7 d;24例患儿伴有器官受累,包括中枢神经系统、眼及关节;47例(70.1%)经抗真菌治疗后病情好转或治愈,15例(22.4%)患儿死亡.结论 新生儿侵袭性真菌感染的病原主要为念珠菌属,尤以白色念珠菌及光滑假丝酵母菌为多见.中枢神经系统、眼及关节为常见受累器官.侵袭性真菌感染的发生、严重程度及转归与患儿的机体状态、原发病及并发症密切相关.     

儿童侵袭性真菌感染的临床特征及病原菌分析

目的：探讨儿童侵袭性真菌感染的临床特征及病原菌分布。方法：回顾性分析2008～2012年间诊断为侵袭性真菌感染的104例患儿的临床资料。结果：104例患儿中,新生儿20例,婴幼儿48例,学龄前期及学龄期儿童（年长儿）36例。新生儿组中,早产儿比例较高（70%）;多患有肺透明膜病（45%）、肺炎（30%）等基础疾病;给予全胃肠外营养的患儿比例较其他两个年龄组高（P<0.01）。新生儿组及婴幼儿组机械通气比例明显高于年长儿组（P<0.05）。年长儿组多为血液恶性肿瘤患儿,粒细胞减少及接受化疗的患儿比例较其他两个年龄组高（P<0.05）。感染部位以肺部多见（61.5%）,其次为败血症（14.4%）、肠道（12.5%）,神经系统感染仅见于年长儿。104例患儿中共分离出105株真菌,包括假丝酵母菌 90株,隐球菌6株和其他真菌9株,以白色假丝酵母菌最多（52/105,49.5%）,非白色假丝酵母菌比例也较高（38/105,36.2%）。假丝酵母菌对5-氟胞嘧啶及两性霉素B的敏感性较高,对三唑类药物敏感性相对较低。结论：侵袭性真菌感染可发生于各年龄儿童,各年龄组间危险因素有异同;假丝酵母菌是其主要病原菌,白色假丝酵母菌所占比例高,非白色假丝酵母菌也占较高比例。假丝酵母菌对5-氟胞嘧啶和两性霉素B较为敏感。     

乌鲁木齐市多中心儿童侵袭性念珠菌病临床特征及其血流感染的危险因素分析

目的了解儿童侵袭性念珠菌病的临床特征,探讨念珠菌血流感染的危险因素。方法选取2010年1月至2015年12月乌鲁木齐市5家三级医院确诊或临床诊断的134例侵袭性念珠菌病患儿为研究对象。采用多中心、回顾性研究方法,检测患儿真菌感染类型及构成比,比较念珠菌血流感染组及非血流感染组患儿的临床资料,并应用logistic多因素回归分析探讨念珠菌血流感染的危险因素。结果 134例患儿中分离出134株念珠菌菌株,其中非白色念珠菌占53.0%。侵袭性念珠菌病在PICU及非PICU病区的发生率分别为41.8%、48.5%。血流感染为主(68例,50.7%),其次为尿路感染(45例,33.6%)。念珠菌血流感染组与非血流感组在年龄及广谱抗生素使用率、慢性肾功能不全发生率、心力衰竭发生率、留置尿管率及非白色念珠菌感染率比较中差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,年龄(1~24个月)(OR=6.027)、非白色念珠菌感染(OR=1.020)是念珠菌血流感染的独立危险因素。结论侵袭性念珠菌病在儿科ICU及非ICU病区发生率基本相同;感染菌株以非白色念珠菌为主;血流感染为最常见的念珠菌感染形式;年龄1~24个月及非白色念珠菌感染患儿发生念珠菌血流感染的风险增加。     

Candida infections in the neonate

Candida infections have become an increasingly frequent problem in neonatal intensive care units, particularly among extremely low birth weight infants. Transmission occurs both vertically and horizontally, with Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis as the predominant species. Multiple risk factors have been identified with prior antibiotic exposure, presence of a central line, endotracheal intubation, and prior fungal colonization reported most frequently. The primary site of infection can involve the bloodstream, meninges, or urinary tract, but disease is frequently disseminated to multiple organ systems. Amphotericin is the most commonly used antifungal agent, although fluconazole is being used more frequently. The potential role of antifungal prophylaxis is not yet clearly defined, but has been the topic of recent investigative efforts. The crude mortality rate among neonates with systemic candidiasis remains approximately 30%.     

Seasonality of invasive Candida infection in neonates

AIM: To evaluate season of birth as a risk factor for the development of invasive Candida in our population of preterm low-birthweight infants. METHODS: Retrospective identification of Candida-positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures in infants < 32 wk over an 8-y period. RESULTS: There were 1400 admissions of infants < 32 wk gestation, of whom 52 (3.7%) developed invasive Candida infection. Thirty-eight of 52 (73%) occurred during the months September to February. CONCLUSIONS: It may be appropriate to consider seasonal associations when targeting selective antifungal chemoprophylaxis.     

Congenital candidiasis

Congenital candidiasis presents with a variety of clinical features. We report two neonates with congenital candidiasis characterized by diffuse erythematous papules associated with pneumonia and respiratory distress. Candida pseudohyphae were identifiable in skin scrapings. Systemic cultures were negative, but urine and sputum cultures grew Candida albicans. After prompt systemic antifungal therapy, the infants were discharged from hospital with no overt complications. This report highlights the presence of characteristic skin lesions associated with candidal infection, occurring within 24 hours of birth. This is an important observation which could help in the early diagnosis of congenital candidal infection.     

Caspofungin therapy of neonates with invasive candidiasis

BACKGROUND: Invasive candidiasis is an increasing problem in neonatal intensive care units worldwide and is an important cause of morbidity, mortality and prolongation of hospital stay. Despite administration of amphotericin B, invasive candidiasis in neonates is sometimes complicated by persistent fungemia and refractory invasive candidiasis. The problem has been augmented by the increasing prevalence of non-albicans species that often are resistant to fluconazole and to amphotericin B. POPULATION AND METHODS: The population consisted of 1 term and 9 premature neonates with invasive candidiasis caused by Candida albicans (n = 4), Candida parapsilosis (n = 3), Candida tropicalis (n = 2) and Candida glabrata (n = 1). Despite initial therapy with deoxycholate amphotericin B, blood cultures remained positive in all patients for 13-49 days. Invasive candidiasis progressed to meningitis and enlarging renal Candida bezoars in the kidney of one patient and an enlarging atrial vegetation in another. Another patient developed severe hypokalemia refractory to potassium supplementation. Two of the C. albicans and all of the non-albicans Candida isolates were resistant to fluconazole; the C. glabrata isolate was resistant to amphotericin B. Amphotericin B was discontinued and caspofungin initiated in all patients in a dosage of 1 mg/kg/d for 2 days followed by 2 mg/kg/d. RESULTS: All positive blood cultures cleared between 3 and 7 days after initiation of caspofungin, the atrial vegetation resolved and the renal Candida bezoars disappeared. Renal and hepatic function tests did not show any values above normal throughout caspofungin therapy. There were no attributable clinical adverse events during the administration of caspofungin in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Caspofungin was effective, safe and well-tolerated as an alternative therapy for persistent and progressive candidiasis in those neonates who were unresponsive to or intolerant of deoxycholate amphotericin B.     

Neonatal liver abscesses due to Candida infection effectively treated with caspofungin

Candidiasis is relatively frequent in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (ICUs), particularly in preterm infants less than 28 weeks of gestational age. Neonatal candidiasis shows high mortality and is often associated to poor neurodevelopmental prognosis in survivor patients. Amphotericin B and fluconazole are the first choice drugs for the treatment of neonatal candidiasis. Caspofungin is an alternative antifungal agent, which is recommended for invasive candidiasis in adults, but has been poorly experienced in neonates and infants as far as now. We report the first two infants with Candida liver abscesses treated with caspofungin. In the first infant bloodstream and liver lesions were cleared by combination therapy with fluconazole, liposomal amphotericin and caspofungin, while in the second one by caspofungin alone.
Conclusion: Our observations confirm the efficacy and tolerability of caspofungin in the treatment of neonatal candidiasis refractory to conventional antifungal drugs. More extensive data are recommended in order to asses a specific neonatal schedule.     

Persistently positive cultures and outcome in invasive neonatal candidiasis

BACKGROUND: A persistently positive culture >24 h after starting antibiotic therapy has been correlated with adverse outcome in several invasive bacterial infections, but few reports address persistent positivity and outcome in infections caused by fungi and other pathogens that replicate more slowly and therefore may succumb less quickly to therapy. METHODS: To assess whether positive culture >24 h after achieving target doses (amphotericin > or =0.5 mg/kg/day or fluconazole > or =6 mg/kg/day) of systemic antifungal therapy predicts focal infectious complication(s) or death from infection, we compared neonatal intensive care unit infants who had persistent (P+) or nonpersistent (P-) positive cultures with invasive candidiasis (clinical signs of infection and recovery of Candida from a normally sterile site) at this center from January 1, 1981, through June 30, 1999. Infants who died < or = 24 h after attaining target dosing, recovered without therapy, had a focal infectious complication already present at the time target dosing was achieved or were diagnosed with invasive candidiasis only postmortem were excluded. RESULTS: We identified 58 P+ (29, 12 and 7 had positive cultures for >7, >14 and > or =21 days, respectively) and 38 P- infants. No differences were found between P+ and P- for birth weight; gestational age; gender; onset age; central vascular catheters; necrotizing enterocolitis, surgery or bacterial sepsis; or duration of parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, tracheal intubation or postnatal steroids. P+ were more likely to have blood or cerebrospinal fluid involvement (68 vs. 45%, P = 0.03). Distribution of Candida species was similar (albicans in 53 vs. 63% for P+ vs. P-). P+ were significantly more likely to develop later "fungus ball" uropathy (16 of 56 vs. 2 of 32, P = 0.01), to develop renal infiltration (11 of 56 vs. 1 of 32, P = 0.03) and to die from invasive candidiasis (11 of 58 vs. 0 of 38, P = 0.003) than P-. P+ were also more likely to develop endocarditis, abscess, ventriculitis and invasive dermatitis, although P > 0.05. Focal complication increased as duration of P+ increased (48, 55, 67 and 71% at >1, >7, >14 and > or =21 days, P = 0.06). When comparing only those with positive blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid culture, similar patterns were observed, although only death and focal complication or death from invasive candidiasis attained significance. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that in neonatal invasive candidiasis: (1) cultures usually remain positive >24 h after attaining target antifungal doses; (2) aggressive imaging for focal complications may be reserved for infants with persistently positive cultures after several days of antifungal therapy at target doses or have signs strongly suggestive of focal complication; (3) focal complications and/or death from candidiasis increase with persistence; (4) focal complications increase with duration of persistence; (5) serial culture of infected site(s) helps predict outcome and the need for aggressive surveillance and intervention for focal complications.     

早产儿白假丝酵母菌败血症13例临床分析

目的：探讨早产儿白假丝酵母菌败血症的临床特点。方法：回顾性分析13例早产儿白假丝酵母菌败血症患儿的临床资料。患儿胎龄28~36周,体重1400~2815 g。结果：患儿发生白假丝酵母菌感染的时间为生后19±11 d。临床表现主要为：呼吸暂停、皮肤灌注差、反应差、反复血氧下降、皮肤灰暗、皮肤黄染、安静状态心率增快、痰多、撤机困难。在白假丝酵母菌感染时患儿血小板明显下降,C反应蛋白、血小板分布宽度升高。谷丙转氨酶、肌酸激酶同工酶、总胆红素、肌酸激酶、乳酸脱氢酶在白假丝酵母菌感染时升高,抗真菌治疗两周后肌酸激酶、乳酸脱氢酶下降明显。仅3例对氟康唑耐药,换用伏立康唑治疗有效,10例治愈,放弃治疗2例,死亡1例。结论：早产儿白假丝酵母菌败血症临床表现非特异性,生后2~3周的早产儿并发的感染,应考虑白假丝酵母菌感染的可能。白假丝酵母菌感染时,患儿血小板下降,C反应蛋白、血小板分布宽度升高、谷丙转氨酶、肌酸激酶同工酶、总胆红素、肌酸激酶、乳酸脱氢酶升高。     

Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of viral infections in a neonatal intensive care unit during a 12-year period

BACKGROUND: The incidence of viral infections in patients treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is not well-known. We summarized the data of all patients with laboratory-confirmed viral infections admitted at the NICU of our hospital during the period of 1992-2003. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of viral infections among infants hospitalized in a NICU, the associated clinical manifestations and their outcome. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of epidemiologic, virologic and clinical data from infants with proven viral infection. The diagnosis viral infection was confirmed by positive viral culture and/or polymerase chain reaction from clinical samples. RESULTS: Viral infection was confirmed in 51 of 5396 infants (1%) admitted to the NICU; 20 (39%) had an enterovirus and parechovirus (EV/PEV) infection, 15 (29%) a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, 5 (10%) a rotavirus infection, 3 (6%) a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, 2 (4%) an adenovirus infection, 2 (4%) a parainfluenza virus infection, 2 (4%) a herpes simplex virus infection, 1 (2%) a rhinovirus infection and 1 (2%) a rubella virus infection. Three of the infants presented at birth with symptomatic rubella virus, CMV or herpes simplex virus infection. RSV infection developed mostly in hospitalized infants (60%), and 93% of infections occurred during the winter (November-March). The clinical presentations of EV/PEV disease were sepsis-like illness, prolonged seizures in term infants and gastrointestinal disease in preterm infants. RSV, parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus and CMV caused respiratory disease, predominantly in preterm infants. Gastrointestinal disease was seen only in preterm infants with adenovirus, rotavirus or EV/PEV infection. Mortality and serious sequelae were high in patients infected with EV/PEV (10 and 15%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of viral infection in the NICU was 1%. Enteroviral infections were the most frequently diagnosed infections, occurred often in term infants born at home and presented with sepsis-like illness or seizures. Preterm infants hospitalized from birth mainly developed gastrointestinal disease caused by rotavirus and adenovirus infection or respiratory disease caused by RSV, parainfluenza and CMV infection. Enteroviruses were responsible for the highest mortality and development of serious sequelae.     

儿童重症监护病房侵袭性真菌感染38例临床分析

目的：探讨儿童重症监护病房（PICU）侵袭性真菌感染（IFI）的临床特征,为其有效防治提供依据。方法：回顾性分析38例IFI患儿的临床特征及治疗转归情况。结果：38例患儿中,以呼吸道感染最多见（89%）;感染前均有较严重的基础疾病,且使用过多种抗生素,其中碳青霉烯类抗生素使用率高达95%;47%患儿曾全身激素治疗;所有患儿均有侵入性操作史,其中47%患儿接受过气管插管及机械通气治疗;所有患儿临床症状及体征不典型,影像学检查无特异性。真菌培养共检出致病真菌56株,以白色念珠菌为主（41%）,其次为曲霉菌（25%）和毛霉菌（20%）;所有患儿及时予以高效抗真菌药物治疗,治愈15例,好转16例,有效率为82%,不良反应发生率为16%。结论：呼吸道为最常见IFI感染部位;白色念珠菌为主要病原;多数患儿有严重基础疾病、广谱抗生素及糖皮质激素的使用史和侵入性操作史;早期诊断、及时使用高效抗真菌药物可改善预后。     

Disseminated histoplasmosis in chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is rarely associated with disseminated Candida, but is often associated with systemic infection secondary to other organisms [1]. A 6-year-old with CMC and disseminated histoplasmosis is presented here.     

Prospective evaluation of Candida antigen and antibody assays for detection of Candida infections in children with malignant disease

The clinical efficacy of assays for Candida albicans antigens by latex agglutination and for antibodies by indirect haemagglutination were prospectively evaluated in the diagnosis of invasive Candida infections in 38 children suffering from acute leukaemia or other malignant disease. The controls were 74 other patients without any malignancy; 72 of these had no signs or symptoms of fungal infections, but 2 had an invasive C. albicans infection. During a period of 21 months, 302 serum samples were tested by both assays, and the results were compared with clinical and other microbiological data. Invasive fungal infection was diagnosed on clinical grounds in 2 of the immunocompromised children, and periodic gut colonization was demonstrated in 11 of 36 (31 %) children in this group. Positive Candida antigen was detected in 14 patients (37%) and a positive antibody titre in 7 patients (18%). Colonization was not correlated with antigen or antibody titre. Compared with the presence of invasive fungal infection, the antibody assay detected all four infections, whereas the antigen assay detected one of the two C. albicans septicaemias. Although the Candida antibody assay performed well, a detectable change in antibody titres appeared only slowly. Thus it was of no clinical help when antifungal treatment was to be considered. Follow-up of antibody titres, however, gave confirmation of the presence of fungal infection as well as the response to antifungal treatment.