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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
06:39
Curcuminoid-Mediated Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy on a Murine Model of Oral Candidiasis
Published on: October 27, 2023
Adjuvant corticosteroid therapy for chronic disseminated candidiasis
Faézeh Legrand1, Marc Lecuit, Bertrand Dupont
1Université Paris-7, Service d'Hématologie-Pédiatrique, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France.
Summary
Corticosteroid therapy (CST) effectively treated chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) symptoms in leukemia patients unresponsive to antifungals. CST rapidly resolved fever and inflammation, suggesting CDC is part of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) is a serious complication in acute leukemia patients during neutrophil recovery.
- It necessitates prolonged antifungal treatment and can persist despite therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of corticosteroid therapy (CST) for symptomatic CDC.
- To assess CST in patients with persistent fever and abdominal pain despite antifungal treatment.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, multicenter study of 10 pediatric and adult leukemia patients with symptomatic CDC.
- Adjuvant oral CST was administered to patients who did not respond to standard antifungal therapy.
Main Results:
- CST led to the resolution of CDC symptoms, including fever and abdominal pain, within 4-5 days.
- Inflammatory markers (fibrinogen, C-reactive protein) normalized within 14-30 days.
- Hepatosplenic microabscesses resolved, with no CDC relapses observed during a median 6.5-year follow-up.
Conclusions:
- CST, using prednisone equivalent ≥0.5 mg/kg/day for ≥3 weeks, effectively resolves symptoms and inflammation in persistent CDC.
- Findings support the hypothesis that CDC is a form of fungus-related immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS).
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