[Generalized cutaneous candidiasis in newborn at term]

Husein Husein El Ahmed1, Guillermo Arturo Cañadas-De la Fuente, Rafael Fernández-Castillo

  • 1Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Granada, España.

Insights

Congenital cutaneous candidiasis can be transmitted during birth from mother to child. Early diagnosis of Candida albicans infection in newborns is crucial to prevent severe complications like sepsis.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal infections
  • Dermatology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Cutaneous candidiasis affects both children and adults, with varying prevalent species.
  • Infections can be localized or systemic, caused by multiple etiological agents.

Observation:

  • A full-term newborn developed congenital cutaneous candidiasis 24 hours after birth.
  • The infant was exposed to a subclinical vaginal candidiasis infection during delivery.

Findings:

  • The etiological agent was identified as Candida albicans, leading to sepsis and respiratory distress.
  • Blood tests revealed elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytosis with left shift.
  • Cutaneous biopsy confirmed candidiasis, while blood cultures identified Staphylococcus aureus.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the transmission of Candida albicans from mother to neonate during birth.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to avert serious neonatal complications.
  • Emphasizes the importance of screening for vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women to prevent neonatal transmission.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

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...
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,...
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...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...