Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

A Catheter-Related Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse
03:24

A Catheter-Related Candida albicans Infection Model in Mouse

Published on: March 22, 2024

Treatment of central venous catheter fungal infection using liposomal amphotericin-B lock therapy

Bradley S Buckler1, Ralph N Sams, Vita L Goei

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. bbuckler@mcg.edu

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|July 31, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Central venous catheter fungal infections in children often require catheter removal. Liposomal amphotericin-B lock therapy offers a potential alternative, successfully preserving catheters in most reported cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Device Infections
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Fungal central venous catheter infections in pediatric patients typically necessitate catheter removal as the standard treatment.
  • While catheter removal can mitigate Candida-associated complications, its necessity as the sole standard of care is debated in existing literature.

Observation:

  • This report details 6 cases of fungal central venous catheter infections in 4 pediatric patients.
  • Two patients underwent recurrent liposomal amphotericin-B lock therapy for fungal catheter-related infections.

Findings:

  • Liposomal amphotericin-B lock therapy resulted in successful eradication of fungal pathogens in 4 out of 6 cases.
  • This allowed for the continued use of the central venous catheter in these patients, avoiding removal.

Implications:

  • Antifungal lock therapy, specifically with liposomal amphotericin-B, presents a promising alternative to catheter removal for pediatric fungal infections.
  • Further investigation through controlled studies is warranted to establish antifungal lock therapy as a viable alternative to the current standard of care.

Related Concept Videos

Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...