Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
07:42

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

Published on: July 1, 2020

[Fungal infections in a pediatric burn care]

María Teresa Rosanova1, Hugo Basilico, Mabel Villasboas

  • 1Hospital Nacional de Pediatría Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina. margris2@yahoo.com.ar

Archivos Argentinos De Pediatria
|November 2, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fungal infections affected 21% of burn intensive care unit patients, with Candida species being most common. Prompt treatment with Amphotericin B led to low mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Burn Care

Context:

  • Fungal infections pose a significant threat to patients in specialized intensive care burn units.
  • Burn wounds create a vulnerable environment for opportunistic fungal pathogen colonization.

Purpose:

  • To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of fungal infections in pediatric burn patients.
  • To identify common fungal species, infection sites, and treatment outcomes in this population.

Summary:

  • A retrospective study of 195 burn intensive care unit patients (January 2002-March 2006) found 41 (21%) developed fungal infections.
  • Candida species were the most frequent isolates (49%), primarily in burn wounds (93%). Co-infection with bacteria was common (93%).
  • Amphotericin B was the primary treatment, with a median treatment duration of 23 days and a low mortality rate of 2%.

Impact:

  • Highlights the prevalence of fungal infections in burn patients, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring.
  • Informs clinical practice regarding the choice of antifungal agents and management strategies for burn wound infections.
  • Contributes to understanding the burden of fungal infections in critical care settings, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Related Concept Videos

Burn Injuries01:22

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
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...
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
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...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...