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Infection with Fusarium species in two children with neuroblastoma
C Viscoli1, E Castagnola, C Moroni
1Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Genoa, Italy.
Abstract:
Two cases of Fusarium infection in children with neuroblastoma are reported. One of the patients had an overwhelming infection and the diagnosis was based on isolation of Fusarium moniliforme from blood and skin biopsy, and histological findings. The second patient developed chronic polyarthritis and Fusarium solani was cultured from synovial fluid samples taken from two different joints four months apart. No histological documentation of infection was obtained. The response to antifungal therapy was unfavourable. Both patients died, but in the second case the relationship between fungal infection and death was not established.
Insights
Fusarium infections, a rare fungal complication in children with neuroblastoma, were observed in two cases. Despite treatment, both pediatric patients with neuroblastoma and Fusarium infection unfortunately died.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Neuroblastoma is a common pediatric cancer.
- Fungal infections can pose a significant risk to immunocompromised patients, including those undergoing cancer treatment.
- Documenting Fusarium infections in pediatric neuroblastoma cases is crucial for understanding disease progression and treatment outcomes.
Observation:
- Two pediatric patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma presented with invasive Fusarium infections.
- The first patient experienced an overwhelming infection, confirmed by Fusarium moniliforme isolation and histology.
- The second patient developed chronic polyarthritis with Fusarium solani identified in synovial fluid, lacking histological confirmation.
Findings:
- Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium solani were identified as causative agents in the reported cases.
- Antifungal therapy proved ineffective in both pediatric patients.
- While both patients with neuroblastoma and Fusarium infection died, the direct causal link to fungal infection was definitively established only in the first case.
Implications:
- This report highlights the severe and often fatal nature of Fusarium infections in pediatric neuroblastoma patients.
- The findings underscore the need for heightened vigilance and early diagnostic approaches for fungal infections in this vulnerable population.
- Further research is warranted to explore effective antifungal strategies and improve outcomes for neuroblastoma patients with invasive fungal infections.