Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
08:46

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis

Published on: August 12, 2020

Invasive mould infections in newborns and children

Elio Castagnola1, Maura Faraci, Francesca Fioredda

  • 1G.Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genova, Italy. eliocastagnola@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it

Early Human Development
|February 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Invasive mould infections are serious complications in children, but specific pediatric studies are lacking. Adult treatment data informs some pediatric antifungal dosages, particularly for invasive aspergillosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Invasive mould infections (IMIs) are significant complications in pediatric patients with various underlying conditions.
  • The epidemiology and clinical presentation of IMIs in children are influenced by the specific risk factors associated with their underlying diseases.
  • There is a notable lack of pediatric-specific research evaluating the efficacy of prophylactic or therapeutic strategies for IMIs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of invasive mould infections in pediatric conditions.
  • To underscore the variability in IMI epidemiology and clinical features based on underlying pediatric diseases.
  • To identify the gap in pediatric-specific research for IMI prophylaxis and therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on invasive mould infections in pediatric populations.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data and clinical features of IMIs in children.
  • Examination of available pediatric drug dosages for invasive aspergillosis treatment, derived from adult clinical trials.

Main Results:

  • Invasive mould infections are critical complications in diverse pediatric conditions.
  • Risk and presentation of IMIs in children are highly dependent on the underlying condition.
  • No dedicated pediatric studies assess IMI prophylaxis or therapy efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric invasive mould infections require further dedicated research.
  • Current pediatric treatment guidelines for invasive aspergillosis rely on adult trial data.
  • Addressing the specific needs of pediatric patients is crucial for managing invasive mycoses.

More Related Videos

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

Related Concept Videos

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,...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
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...