Invasive Acremonium strictum infection in a bone marrow transplant recipient

We describe an invasive Acremonium strictum infection in a 9-year-old debilitated bone marrow transplant recipient. Outcome was successful, despite resistance to the amphotericin B that was initially administered. A. strictum was isolated from bone and urine cultures. We summarize data on 15 opportunistic invasive infections caused by Acremonium in pediatric hosts reported thus far in the English language literature.     

Pulmonary aspergillosis and chronic septic granulomatosis]

Two children with chronic granulomatous disease who developed diffuse pulmonary aspergillosis are described. The outcome was satisfactory in one case with miliary disease because the diagnosis was made early by an open lung biopsy. In the other case the diagnosis was delayed and the child died after 7 months with disseminated haematogenous spread of the fungal infection. Although most of the infections of chronic granulomatous disease are bacterial, the abnormalities of phagocyte killing will also predispose to fungal infections. The prolonged survival of affected children because of antibiotic therapy will increase the risk of parasitic and fungal infections.     

Disseminated fungal infection by Aureobasidium pullulans in a renal transplant recipient

Renal transplant recipients are on long‐term potent immunosuppressive therapy, which makes them highly vulnerable to opportunistic fungal infections. Dematiaceous, or dark‐pigmented saprophytic fungi, are being increasingly seen as opportunistic pathogens of mycoses in immunosuppressed patients. One of these is Aureobasidium pullulans, which is a black yeast‐like dematiaceous fungus found ubiquitously in the environment that can cause various opportunistic human infections. Most infections occur by traumatic inoculation, such as keratitis and cutaneous lesions; disseminated mycoses are very rare and occur only in severely immunocompromised patients. We report a case of disseminated fungal infection due to A. pullulans in a pediatric patient who underwent renal transplant. The use of voriconazole and vacuum‐assisted closure along with surgical drainage most likely contributed to the patient's positive outcome.     

儿童白血病化疗后合并全身性真菌感染诊断及治疗体会

目的积累和交流白血病化疗病人合并深部真菌感染时临床经验。方法总结2年中明确诊断深部霉菌感染病人的诊断过程、方法、临床特征、治疗反应和转归。结果确诊深部真菌感染者共5例,均为白血病患儿,感染前或感染中白血病达完全缓解,特征性表现为发热,抗菌素治疗>5天无效,轻中度压痛的多发性硬性皮下小结(2/5例)和肝脾肾散布性低密度病灶(3/5例),需四周以上二性霉素治疗,有明显但可以处理的毒性反应。结论发热、抗菌素治疗无效、硬性皮下小结和肝脾肾散布性低密度病灶时应考虑深部真菌感染,并给予4周以上二性霉素治疗。     

儿童白血病化疗后合并全身性真菌感染诊断及治疗体会

目的 积累和交流白血病化疗病人合并深部真菌感染时临床经验.方法 总结2年中明确诊断深部霉菌感染病人的诊断过程、方法、临床特征、治疗反应和转归.结果确诊深部真菌感染者共5例,均为白血病患儿,感染前或感染中白血病达完全缓解,特征性表现为发热,抗菌素治疗＞5天无效,轻中度压痛的多发性硬性皮下小结（2/5例）和肝脾肾散布性低密度病灶（3/5例）,需四周以上二性霉素治疗,有明显但可以处理的毒性反应.结论 发热、抗菌素治疗无效、硬性皮下小结和肝脾肾散布性低密度病灶时应考虑深部真菌感染,并给予4周以上二性霉素治疗.     

Fungal infections in children with cancer: a prospective, multicenter surveillance study

BACKGROUND: Data on epidemiology and survival after fungal infections in patients with cancer are primarily based on studies in adults, whereas few data are available on children. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, 2-year surveillance of fungal infections in children receiving antineoplastic treatment was performed in 15 Italian centers. For each case, defined by means of EORTC-IFIG/NIAID-MSG, information was collected on age, phase of treatment, presence of neutropenia or lymphocytopenia, administration of antifungal drugs and survival. RESULTS: Ninety-six episodes (42 proven [19 fungemias, 23 deep tissue infections], 17 probable and 37 possible invasive mycoses) were reported. Most of them (73%) followed aggressive chemotherapy, 21% allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and only 6% moderately aggressive treatment. Neutropenia was present in 77% of the episodes, and it had a longer duration before deep tissue mycosis as compared with fungemia (P = 0.020). Lymphocytopenia was present in 75% of the episodes observed in nonneutropenic patients. As compared with children with fungemia, patients with probable invasive mycoses had a 25.7-fold increased risk of death, whereas it was 7.7-fold greater in children with possible invasive mycoses and 5-fold higher in those with proven deep tissue infection (P = 0.004). The risk of death was also 3.8-fold higher in patients already receiving antifungals at the time of diagnosis of infection as compared with those not receiving antimycotic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: In children with cancer, aggressive antineoplastic treatment, severe and longlasting neutropenia and lymphocytopenia are associated with fungal infections. These features as the clinical pictures are similar to those reported in adults, but in children, the overall and the infection-specific (fungemia or mycosis with deep tissue infection) mortalities are lower.     

实体瘤患儿行自体外周血干细胞移植治疗中真菌感染情况

目的通过对31例实体瘤患儿行自体外周血干细胞移植(auto-PBSCT)治疗中真菌感染的情况进行分析,总结其临床特点、诊断与治疗经验。方法回顾性分析2006年5月-2009年12月本院儿科收治的31例实体瘤患儿行auto-PBSCT治疗过程中防治真菌感染的过程。结果 1.Ⅳ期进展期神经母细胞瘤患儿2例行自体外周血干细胞移植过程中经微生物学检查明确并肺部真菌感染,其中1例并脑、肝真菌感染;2例患儿血培养均为近平滑假丝酵母菌;4例患儿行肺部CT检查,表现为密度增高、渗出炎症阴影;1例进展期神经母细胞瘤患儿明确真菌感染后应用氟康唑、两性霉素B脂质体、伏立康唑静脉滴注抗真菌治疗有效,体温正常,度过骨髓抑制期,原发病获得部分缓解;1例进展期神经母细胞瘤患儿因存在颅内、骨骼、脊髓、肺、肝多发转移肿瘤,于自体外周血造血干细胞移植9 d后骨髓抑制期死亡。2.部分缓解期Ⅳ期神经母细胞瘤1例及进展期肝母细胞瘤1例患儿表现为发热、咳嗽、抽搐,怀疑侵袭性真菌感染,给予氟康唑、两性霉素B、伏立康唑治疗后好转度过骨髓抑制期,原发病获得部分缓解。3.余27例实体瘤患儿auto-PBSCT治疗中应用氟康唑预防真菌感染,临床未发生侵袭性真菌感染,1例进展期Ⅳ期神经母细胞瘤患儿因有多脏器转移,且有原发心脏损害,大剂量化疗后骨髓抑制期免疫耐受差,导致多脏器衰竭死亡。余26例实体瘤患儿顺利度过骨髓抑制期,病情获得缓解。结论实体瘤患儿auto-PBSCT治疗中易并真菌感染,需结合病史、血培养、G试验及CT、MRI等影像学检查做出诊断,经验性应用氟康唑、伏立康唑、两性霉素B等可防治真菌感染,原发病严重未缓解者预后差。     

Baseline mannose binding lectin levels may not predict infection among children with leukemia

We measured baseline serum mannose binding lectin (MBL) levels in 91 patients with childhood leukemia to determine their predictive value for the development of febrile neutropenia or specific infections. Median MBL levels did not differ significantly between patients who developed febrile neutropenia, bacterial infection, or disseminated fungal infection and those who did not. In addition, low MBL levels were not associated with an increased cumulative incidence of infection or with a shorter time to first infection. This preliminary study suggests that baseline MBL levels may not be clinically useful to identify pediatric leukemia patients who are at increased risk of infection. Additional studies are required to determine whether serial MBL measurements may be valuable for this purpose.     

Pathology teach and tell disseminated candidiasis in an infant with acute myeloid leukemia without prior chemotherapy

Opportunistic fungal infections are significant problems for neutropenic patients who are undergoing cytotoxic therapy for acute leukemia. Systemic and hepatosplenic candidiasis have been reported in acute leukemic patients who are on chemotherapy. Gastrointestinal tract involvement is a rare phenomenon in disseminated candidiasis, especially in acute leukemia. We report one such rare case of acute myeloid leukemia in an infant who died of disseminated candidiasis with gastrointestinal tract involvement prior to the institution of chemotherapy.     

Fatal course of Saprochaete capitata fungemia in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Saprochaete capitata (S. capitata) is a very rare fungal pathogen that causes disseminated opportunistic infections in patients with hematologic malignancies. Fever resistant to broad-spectrum antibiotic and antifungal treatment is common in the presence of fungemia during the period of profound neutropenia. We describe three cases of leukemic children who died from S. capitata fungemia following a first febrile neutropenic episode after the induction of chemotherapy. S. capitata fungemia is an emergent infection associated with high mortality and low susceptibility to fluconazole and echinocandins. Awareness of this emergent infection is needed to ensure that it can be properly treated.     

Disseminated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin infection in a girl with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome

Disseminated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin infection occurs in few well-defined immunodeficiencies, such as severe combined immunodeficiency, chronic granulomatous disease and paediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This severe complication of immunization against tuberculosis has been lethal in the majority of children who had primary immunodeficiency. Our patient, a 9-y-old girl with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome developed disseminated Bacillus Calmette-Guerin infection in infancy. Patients with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) are susceptible to serious staphylococcal and fungal infections. Disseminated Bacillus Calmette-Guerin infection has not previously been reported in this rare immunodeficiency.     

Successful lung transplant in a child with cystic fibrosis and persistent Blastobotrys rhaffinosifermentans infection

Fungal respiratory infections in patients with CF are a significant concern both pre‐ and post‐lung transplantation (LTx). Fungal infection is associated with increased mortality post‐LTx, and in the past decade, the prevalence of fungal colonization in Canadian pediatric patients with CF has increased. The emergence of novel fungal pathogens is particularly challenging to the transplant community, as little is known regarding their virulence and optimal management. We present a case of a successful double‐lung transplant in a pediatric patient with CF who was infected pretransplantation with a novel yeast, Blastobotrys rhaffinosifermentans. This patient was treated successfully with aggressive antifungal therapy post‐transplantation, followed by extended fungal prophylaxis. The significance of fungal colonization and infection in children with CF pre‐ and post‐LTx is reviewed.     

Post-traumatic cutaneous mucormycosis in diabetes mellitus. Short-term antifungal therapy

Mucormycosis is infrequently encountered in the pediatric population in any of its forms (nasopharyngeal, disseminated, pulmonary, or cutaneous) and generally is associated with the immunocompromised host. We present an adolescent with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus who developed a progressive skin lesion 3 weeks after a motor vehicle accident. Rhizopus species was isolated from the lesion, and the biopsy revealed a fungal vasculopathy. Control of her diabetes, aggressive surgical intervention and a 10-day course of antifungal therapy (amphotericin B) resulted in a favorable outcome. This article illustrates the importance of considering cutaneous fungal infections, especially those in the class zygomycetes, in the diabetic patient with unusual, severe or persistent skin lesions. Early recognition is essential in order to avoid morbidity and mortality from this unusual opportunistic infection.     

Fungal infections in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection

The increasing prevalence of fungal infections is caused in large part by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. HIV-associated immunodeficiency is a major risk factor for invasive fungal disease. The prevalence of fungal infections in adults with HIV infection is markedly increased, and a large body of information about their incidence, course, and prognosis in adults exists. However, fungal infections, except candidiasis, are less common in children with HIV infection, and information about their pathogenesis is limited. The reason for this difference is unknown. This article reviews the occurrence of systemic fungal infections in children with HIV infection. Despite the relative rarity of infections with the ubiquitous and endemic fungi in the first 2 decades of the HIV epidemic, the increasing number of children with long-standing HIV infection in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy warrants close surveillance for and aggressive treatment of fungal infections in children with HIV infection. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company     

Disseminated Scedosporium prolificans infection and survival of a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Scedosporium prolificans is a saprophytic fungus responsible for an increasing number of infections among immunocompromised hosts. Historically, disseminated infection with this organism has resulted in death. We report on a pediatric patient who developed overwhelming S. prolificans sepsis after induction chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She is well 18 months after the diagnosis of fungal sepsis and continues to receive chemotherapy for leukemia, which remains in remission.     

Clinical spectrum and outcome of invasive filamentous fungal infections in children with Type 1 diabetes: North Indian experience

There is scarcity of data on spectrum and outcome of invasive filamentous fungal infections (IFIs) in children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) from developing countries. A retrospective review of medical records of children with T1D hospitalized with IFI over the past decade at the Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit of a large tertiary care hospital of North India was performed with an aim to study their clinical spectrum, hospital course and final outcome. Of the 10 patients studied, nasal/paranasal involvement was seen in 6 and pulmonary involvement in 5 patients. One patient developed disseminated disease. Majority of the identified mycoses belonged to Class Zygomycetes Order Mucorales. Early surgery along with antifungal therapy helped limit the extension of infection and achieve a good outcome in majority of patients. Two patients died; one with a late diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis and the other with disseminated disease. The longterm morbidity in the survivors was minimal. In conclusion, rapid diagnosis followed by a multimodal approach involving aggressive surgical debridement, appropriate antifungal therapy and control of hyperglycemic state is the key to good outcome in this otherwise lethal infection.     

Fungal colonization and infection in children with acute leukemia and lymphoma during induction therapy

BACKGROUND: Fungal infection represents a growing problem in children with hematologic malignancies. During chemotherapy induced neutropenia, colonization with fungi is considered a major risk factor for subsequent fungal infection. The rates and risk factors for mycotic infections in pediatric oncology patients is undetermined, particularly for centers in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rates and risk factors of fungal colonization in children with acute leukemia and lymphoma at one of the major pediatric hematology/oncology centers in Turkey. PROCEDURE: Fifty-two consecutive children newly diagnosed with acute leukemia and lymphoma during intensive remission induction therapy were evaluated for the occurrence of fungal colonization (defined as at least one positive surveillance culture) and infection. RESULTS: Thirty-six of the 52 patients (69.2%) were colonized by Candida albicans which was the only fungus isolated from surveillance cultures. There were three (5.8%) proven systemic fungal infections: two cases of candidemia and one case of brain abscess with Aspergillus spp. isolated from tissue. All patients with fungal colonization were receiving prophylactic or curative antibiotics. No significant association was found between type of disease and fungal colonization, but there was a significant association with neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that there is a high rate of fungal colonization in children receiving remission induction therapy for acute leukemia and lymphoma. Limiting the use of antibiotics and instituting antifungal chemoprophylaxis may decrease the rate, while the early initiation of empiric antifungal therapy in patients with fever and suspected mycotic colonization may increase survival in these patients.     

Successful treatment of disseminated cryptococcal infection in a pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient during induction

Disseminated cryptococcal infection is rarely reported in the setting of pediatric acute leukemia, despite the immunocompromised state of these patients. However, when present, disseminated cryptococcal infection poses treatment challenges and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment of invasive fungal disease in a child with acute leukemia requires a delicate balance between antifungal and antineoplastic therapy. This balance is particularly important early in the course of leukemia, as both the underlying disease and overwhelming infection can be life threatening. We describe the successful management of life-threatening disseminated cryptococcosis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during induction therapy.     

Acremonium pyomyositis in a pediatric patient with acute leukemia

Invasive Acremonium infection in humans is rare. We report a patient with leukemia who developed pyomyositis due to Acremonium species. Painful cutaneous nodules and severe myalgia were the first clinical manifestations during the neutropenic stage after chemotherapy. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed multiple nodular lesions scattered along the intramuscular regions of the lower legs. Culture of an aspiration grew Acremonium species. Surgical drainage was performed. Although all antifungal agents tested showed no in vitro inhibitory activity, we successfully treated this patient with amphotericin B, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and surgical drainage.     

Pediatric patient with systemic lupus erythematosus & congenital acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: An unusual case and a review of the literature

We report a case of Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG) associated with blastomycosis. This appears to be the first case report of WG co-existing with a tissue proven blastomycosis infection. The temporal correlation of the two conditions suggests that blastomycosis infection (and therefore possibly other fungal infections), may trigger the systemic granulomatous vasculitis in a predisposed individual; a provocative supposition warranting further study.