Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 26, 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

4.5K

Invasive fungal infections in children with hematologic and malignant diseases

Sevinc N Ozsevik1, Gulnar Sensoy, Arzu Karli

  • 1Departments of *Pediatrics †Pediatric Infectious Diseases ‡Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.

Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
|July 30, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a significant cause of mortality in pediatric hematologic and malignancy patients. Early identification of yeast versus mold infections and risk factors like central venous catheters is crucial for timely treatment and improved outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) pose a significant threat to immunocompromised children.
  • Hematologic and malignant diseases increase susceptibility to IFIs.
  • Understanding IFI clinical features and outcomes in this population is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of IFIs in children with hematologic and malignant diseases.
  • To identify risk factors associated with IFI development and mortality.
  • To differentiate between yeast and mold infections in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for children diagnosed with IFIs between January 2010 and December 2011.
  • Diagnosis of proven, probable, and possible IFIs based on European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycosis Study Group criteria.
  • Evaluation of demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of affected patients.

Main Results:

  • IFI occurred in 7.2% of febrile episodes across 56 pediatric patients.
  • Candida parapsilosis was the most common yeast isolate; 70% of fungemia cases involved central venous catheters (CVCs).
  • Mold infections were associated with higher C-reactive protein, lower neutrophils, and prolonged neutropenia compared to yeast infections; 20.9% of patients died, with CVC and bone marrow transplantation being risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • IFIs are a major cause of mortality in pediatric hematology-oncology patients.
  • Mold infections correlate with prolonged, profound neutropenia; yeast infections, particularly non-albicans Candida, are linked to CVC use.
  • Targeted, early treatment strategies informed by these findings can reduce mortality.

More Related Videos

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology08:01

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology

Published on: March 22, 2012

31.0K
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Lifespan Dynamics of Healthy Human Hematopoiesis03:40

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Lifespan Dynamics of Healthy Human Hematopoiesis

Published on: December 8, 2023

1.9K

Related Concept Videos

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants01:22

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants

Bone marrow transplant is a potential cure for several diseases, including cancer and specific genetic disorders. Notably, this procedure is applicable for patients suffering from aplastic anemia, certain types of leukemia, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, sickle-cell disease, and certain cancers.
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
3.0K
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
3.5K
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...
5.1K
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...
778
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...
114