Fungal Infections in Children 2022

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Pathogenesis and Disease Control".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2023) | Viewed by 17891

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit and Management Administration, Rambam Health Care Campus Haifa Israel, Haifa, Israel
2. Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
Interests: pediatric fungal infection; infections among immunocompromised patient; viral respiratory infections

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues

Pediatric fungal infections are a growing problem in the modern era. Children and adolescents treated medically for cancer, and those who have undergone bone marrow transplantation, are at high risk for invasive candidiasis and mold infections. Neonates and children receiving total parenteral nutrition are susceptible to candidiasis, and patients with severe lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis may develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

The changing epidemiology of fungal infection and growing resistance to antifungal therapy affect children as well as adults.

Pediatric patients have special needs, and much needs to be taken into account when administrating antifungal agents.

The dosing, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, safety profile and long-term side effects that may influence child growth and development are all elements that should be further studied and described. 

In this Special Issue ”Pediatric fungal infection” we will address the unique aspects of pediatric patients with fungal disease.

Sincerely,
Dr. Yael Shachor-Meyouhas
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • pediatric fungal infection
  • invasive fungal infection
  • neonatal fungal infections
  • immunocompromised patients

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 937 KiB  
Article
Pediatric Tinea Capitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study from 2010 to 2021
by Joel Dascalu, Hiba Zaaroura, Yael Renert-Yuval, Ziyad Khamaysi, Emily Avitan-Hersh and Rivka Friedland
J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030366 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2639
Abstract
Pediatric tinea capitis displays a wide range of prevalence, with significant variability among populations. We retrospectively extracted the medical records of 456 pediatric patients diagnosed with tinea capitis during the years 2010–2021, from the dermatology outpatient clinics in two tertiary medical centers. Three [...] Read more.
Pediatric tinea capitis displays a wide range of prevalence, with significant variability among populations. We retrospectively extracted the medical records of 456 pediatric patients diagnosed with tinea capitis during the years 2010–2021, from the dermatology outpatient clinics in two tertiary medical centers. Three species were isolated in 90% of patients: T. tonsurans, M. canis, and T. violaceum. While T. tonsurans presented a six-fold increase in incidence during the years 2019–2021, M. canis maintained stable incidence rates. Furthermore, terbinafine was the most efficient antifungal agent against T. tonsurans, achieving complete clinical clearance in 95% of patients, as compared to fluconazole (68%) and griseofulvin (38%) (p < 0.001). The mycological cure was recorded in 61/90 (68%) of patients with available data, at an average of 10 weeks. For patients with M. canis, griseofulvin and fluconazole were equally efficient (73% and 66%, respectively) (p = 0.44). Kerion was described in 36% and 14% of patients with T. tonsurans and M. canis, respectively, (p < 0.001). In conclusion, since 2019, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of T. tonsurans, establishing this pathogen as the most common cause for tinea capitis in our population. Our data suggest that terbinafine is effective and presents high cure rates for tinea capitis in the pediatric population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Infections in Children 2022)
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Review

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21 pages, 1157 KiB  
Review
Navigating the New Reality: A Review of the Epidemiological, Clinical, and Microbiological Characteristics of Candida auris, with a Focus on Children
by Liat Ashkenazi-Hoffnung and Chen Rosenberg Danziger
J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020176 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3637
Abstract
During the past decade, Candida auris emerged across the world, causing nosocomial outbreaks in both pediatric and adult populations, particularly in intensive care settings. We reviewed the epidemiological trends and the clinical and microbiological characteristics of C. auris infection, focusing on the pediatric [...] Read more.
During the past decade, Candida auris emerged across the world, causing nosocomial outbreaks in both pediatric and adult populations, particularly in intensive care settings. We reviewed the epidemiological trends and the clinical and microbiological characteristics of C. auris infection, focusing on the pediatric population. The review is based on 22 studies, which included about 250 pediatric patients with C. auris infection, across multiple countries; neonates and premature babies were the predominant pediatric patient group affected. The most common type of infection reported was bloodstream infection, which was associated with exceptionally high mortality rates. Antifungal treatment varied widely between the patients; this signifies a serious knowledge gap that should be addressed in future research. Advances in molecular diagnostic methods for rapid and accurate identification and for detection of resistance may prove especially valuable in future outbreak situations, as well as the development of investigational antifungals. However, the new reality of a highly resistant and difficult-to-treat pathogen calls for preparedness of all aspects of patient care. This spans from laboratory readiness, to raising awareness among epidemiologists and clinicians for global collaborative efforts to improve patient care and limit the spread of C. auris. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Infections in Children 2022)
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26 pages, 700 KiB  
Review
Inborn Errors of Immunity Causing Pediatric Susceptibility to Fungal Diseases
by Peter Olbrich and Donald C. Vinh
J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020149 - 22 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2850
Abstract
Inborn errors of immunity are a heterogeneous group of genetically determined disorders that compromise the immune system, predisposing patients to infections, autoinflammatory/autoimmunity syndromes, atopy/allergies, lymphoproliferative disorders, and/or malignancies. An emerging manifestation is susceptibility to fungal disease, caused by yeasts or moulds, in a [...] Read more.
Inborn errors of immunity are a heterogeneous group of genetically determined disorders that compromise the immune system, predisposing patients to infections, autoinflammatory/autoimmunity syndromes, atopy/allergies, lymphoproliferative disorders, and/or malignancies. An emerging manifestation is susceptibility to fungal disease, caused by yeasts or moulds, in a superficial or invasive fashion. In this review, we describe recent advances in the field of inborn errors of immunity associated with increased susceptibility to fungal disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Infections in Children 2022)
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8 pages, 432 KiB  
Review
Serum Beta-D-Glucan in the Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Disease in Neonates, Children and Adolescents: A Critical Analysis of Current Data
by Laura Ferreras-Antolin, Andrew Borman, Antonia Diederichs, Adilia Warris and Thomas Lehrnbecher
J. Fungi 2022, 8(12), 1262; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8121262 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2655
Abstract
β-D-glucan (BDG) is a cell wall component of many pathogenic fungi. The detection of BDG as an assay is clinically broadly used as a diagnostic tool. However, the current data on BDG in paediatrics are limited, prompting specific considerations about when BDG can [...] Read more.
β-D-glucan (BDG) is a cell wall component of many pathogenic fungi. The detection of BDG as an assay is clinically broadly used as a diagnostic tool. However, the current data on BDG in paediatrics are limited, prompting specific considerations about when BDG can be used in neonates and children. We aimed to analyse the available data for the use of serum BDG in neonates and immunocompromised children and adolescents; as well as to understand the extent and characteristics of the use of BDG in children in Europe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Infections in Children 2022)
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Other

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8 pages, 259 KiB  
Opinion
Prophylaxis of Invasive Fungal Infection in Neonates: A Narrative Review for Practical Purposes
by Giulia Ferrando and Elio Castagnola
J. Fungi 2023, 9(2), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020164 - 26 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3244
Abstract
Candida albicans is the most frequent cause of invasive fungal disease in preterm and/or low birth weight neonates, followed by Candida parapsilosis, whilst infections from other species are rare. Considering the severity of the disease, associated with poor clinical signs and diagnostic [...] Read more.
Candida albicans is the most frequent cause of invasive fungal disease in preterm and/or low birth weight neonates, followed by Candida parapsilosis, whilst infections from other species are rare. Considering the severity of the disease, associated with poor clinical signs and diagnostic difficulties, primary prophylaxis becomes relevant. This paper summarizes the pathogenesis and clinical presentation of invasive candidiasis in neonates, focusing on prophylaxis. For late onset invasive disease, e.g., those occurring after the 3rd (or 7th according to some definitions) day of life possible approaches are the use of fluconazole, recommended in case of weight <1000 g or <1500 g if the local incidence of invasive candidiasis is higher than 2%, or the use of nystatin (for patients < 1500 g). Micafungin must be used in case of colonization by Candida auris, or in centers with a high prevalence of this pathogen. Concurrently, correct management of the central venous catheter and isolation procedures, with special regard to patients colonized by resistant strains, are fundamental. Other approaches such as reduced use of H2 blockers and broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g., 3rd generation cephalosporins or carbapenems) and promotion of breast feeding proved useful. Reduction of early-onset infections (those occurring in the first 3 days of life) can also be obtained by treating maternal vulvo–vaginal candidiasis, which can represent a fastidious problem during pregnancy. In this case, topic azoles (the only recommendable treatment) can represent a kind of “prophylaxis” of early neonatal candidiasis. However, it must always be remembered that prophylaxis reduces the risk of invasive candidiasis but can not completely eliminate its occurrence, with the parallel risk of selecting for antifungal-resistant strains. Clinicians must maintain a high level of suspicion to start an appropriate therapy and strict epidemiological surveillance to identify the occurrence of clusters and the appearance of strains resistant to prophylaxis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Infections in Children 2022)
10 pages, 1639 KiB  
Case Report
Paecilomyces/Purpureocillium Infection in Children, Case Report, and Review of the Literature
by Musaed Alharbi, Nourah Alruqaie, Ahmed Alzahrani and Maha Almuneef
J. Fungi 2022, 8(9), 930; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8090930 - 1 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1814
Abstract
Paecilomyces/Purpureocillium has recently been recognized as an emerging human pathogen, causing serious infection in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Several predisposing factors have been reported, including foreign body implants, previous surgery, or trauma. Treatment with antifungal drugs often fails as species-specific differences [...] Read more.
Paecilomyces/Purpureocillium has recently been recognized as an emerging human pathogen, causing serious infection in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Several predisposing factors have been reported, including foreign body implants, previous surgery, or trauma. Treatment with antifungal drugs often fails as species-specific differences in antifungal susceptibilities are one of the management challenges. Surgical debridement with or without antifungal therapy was sufficient to cure the infection in a few reported cases. Nonetheless, the surgical approach has been found to decrease the chance of dissemination and recurrence. Here, we report the first pediatric patient with chronic osteomyelitis of the femur secondary to Paecilomyces species, with no predisposing risk factors. Our case was successfully treated with a combination of antifungal therapy and surgical debridement. Additionally, we describe the first extensive literature review of previously reported Paecilomyces/Purpureocillium species infections in pediatric age groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Infections in Children 2022)
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