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Published on: March 9, 2018

Central nervous system aspergillosis in children: a systematic review of reported cases

John Dotis1, Elias Iosifidis, Emmanuel Roilides

  • 1Third Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University, Hippokration Hospital, Konstantinoupoleos 49, GR 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
|May 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis in children presents mainly as brain abscesses. Surgical treatment is linked to better survival rates in pediatric patients with this serious fungal infection.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroscience
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis is a severe fungal infection with high mortality.
  • Limited data exists on CNS aspergillosis specifically in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the characteristics of CNS aspergillosis in infants and children.
  • To compare outcomes in pediatric versus adult cases.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of English literature.
  • Analysis of all reported pediatric CNS aspergillosis cases (<18 years).

Main Results:

  • Ninety cases were analyzed, with a median age of 9 years.
  • Brain abscesses were the most common presentation; prematurity and leukemia were key underlying conditions.
  • Overall mortality was 65.4%, but surgical treatment was associated with improved survival.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric CNS aspergillosis commonly manifests as brain abscesses.
  • Outcomes in children appear better than in adults.
  • Findings can guide future research for improved pediatric outcomes.
Abstract

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