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Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
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Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus

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Candidal infections of ventriculoperitoneal shunts

V P Baradkar1, M Mathur, A Sonavane

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai - 400 002, India.

Journal of Pediatric Neurosciences
|September 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections, specifically Candida, are rare but serious complications following ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery in children. Prompt treatment with Amphotericin B proved effective in all reported cases, with no fatalities.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Mycology

Background:

  • Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are crucial for managing hydrocephalus in children.
  • Infections are a significant complication of VP shunts, though fungal etiologies are uncommon.
  • Candida species represent a rare but serious cause of VP shunt infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients with fungal (Candida) ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections.
  • To identify common Candida species causing shunt infections and their associated symptoms.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of antifungal treatment in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of six pediatric cases with confirmed Candida VP shunt infections.
  • Review of clinical presentations, including onset of symptoms, signs, and diagnostic findings.
  • Assessment of treatment regimens and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • All six patients underwent VP shunt placement for hydrocephalus.
  • Symptom onset ranged from 7 days to 1 month post-surgery.
  • Common symptoms included fever (100%), vomiting (100%), and altered sensorium (50%).
  • Candida albicans was the most frequent isolate (66.66%), followed by C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata.
  • All patients responded successfully to Amphotericin B treatment.
  • No mortality was recorded in the study cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Candida species, particularly C. albicans, can cause ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections in children.
  • Fever and vomiting are key clinical indicators of fungal shunt infection.
  • Amphotericin B is an effective treatment for pediatric Candida VP shunt infections, leading to favorable outcomes.

Keywords:
Candida specieschildrenventriculoperitoneal shunt infection

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