Candida and the paediatric lung

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Systemic candidosis is common in hospitalized children, but lung parenchyma involvement is infrequent.
• Candida pneumonia often arises from bloodstream dissemination, primarily from the gastrointestinal tract or skin.
• Primary Candida pneumonia is rare and typically linked to aspiration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on lung involvement in Candida infections, focusing on pediatric cases.
• To highlight diagnostic challenges and therapeutic approaches for pulmonary candidosis in children.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on Candida lung infections in pediatric patients.
• Analysis of diagnostic criteria, including clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings.
• Review of treatment strategies for pulmonary and systemic candidosis.

Main Results:

• Pulmonary candidosis diagnosis is challenging due to non-specific symptoms and radiological signs.
• Candida in respiratory samples often indicates contamination rather than true infection.
• Histopathological evidence of lung invasion with inflammation is required for definitive diagnosis.
• Allergic pulmonary reactions to Candida can occur in children.
• Treatment for Candida pneumonia is similar to that for candidemia.

Conclusions:

• Pulmonary candidosis in children is uncommon and diagnostically complex.
• Histopathology is crucial for confirming Candida pneumonia.
• Antifungal treatment for Candida pneumonia parallels that for candidemia.
• Further research may explore antifungal benefits for Candida-sensitized asthma.