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Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
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Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans fungemia in children with leukemia

N M Marina1, P M Flynn, G K Rivera

  • 1Department of Hematology-Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38101-0318.

Cancer
|August 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Candida tropicalis poses a higher risk of invasive fungal infection and disseminated disease in pediatric leukemia patients compared to Candida albicans. Early antifungal therapy is crucial for managing these serious infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology
  • Pediatric Oncology

Background:

  • Fungal infections, particularly candidemia, are a significant concern in immunocompromised pediatric patients.
  • Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans are common causes of fungal infections, but their comparative pathogenicity in specific pediatric populations is not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the incidence and clinical outcomes of Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans colonization and fungemia in pediatric patients with leukemia and lymphoma.
  • To identify risk factors and specific clinical manifestations associated with these fungal infections.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of surveillance and blood cultures from pediatric oncology patients hospitalized over an 8-year period.
  • Analysis of data for patients with leukemia (n=822) and lymphoma (n=290) to identify Candida colonization and fungemia.

Main Results:

  • No fungemia occurred in lymphoma patients with positive surveillance cultures for either Candida species.
  • Leukemia patients colonized with C. tropicalis had a significantly higher rate of fungemia (11.2%) compared to those colonized with C. albicans (2%) (P < 0.001).
  • C. tropicalis fungemia was associated with disseminated disease and subcutaneous abscesses, while central nervous system involvement was noted in fatal cases.

Conclusions:

  • Candida tropicalis represents a greater threat for invasive fungal infection and disseminated disease in pediatric leukemia patients than Candida albicans.
  • Prompt recognition and aggressive antifungal treatment are essential for improving outcomes in these vulnerable patients.

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