Clinical features of invasive fungal disease in children with no underlying disease

Sci Rep. 2022 Jan 7;12(1):208. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-03099-w.

Abstract

There is limited research into Invasive fungal disease (IFD) in children with no underlying disease. We undertook a retrospective study of children with IFD who did not suffer from another underlying disease, from June 2010 to March 2018 in Changsha, China. Nine children were identified. Eosinophil counts were elevated in six cases. The level of procalcitonin (PCT) was elevated in six cases. Fungal culture was positive in all patients, including eight cases of Cryptococcus neoformans and one case of Candida parapsilosis. 8.33 days following antifungal treatment, the body temperature of the eight patients affected by cryptococcal disease had returned to normal. Our study indicates that the primary pathogen in IFD was Cryptococcus neoformans in children who had no other underlying disease. Eosinophils can be considered to be indicators of cryptococcal infection. IFD in children with no other underlying disease has a satisfactory prognosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Candida parapsilosis / drug effects
  • Candida parapsilosis / isolation & purification*
  • Candidiasis / blood
  • Candidiasis / diagnosis
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China
  • Cryptococcosis / blood
  • Cryptococcosis / diagnosis
  • Cryptococcosis / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcosis / microbiology*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / drug effects
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification*
  • Eosinophils / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Invasive Fungal Infections / blood
  • Invasive Fungal Infections / diagnosis
  • Invasive Fungal Infections / drug therapy
  • Invasive Fungal Infections / microbiology*
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Procalcitonin / blood
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Procalcitonin