Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 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

6.0K

Invasive fungal infections in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients

Tiffany Simms-Waldrip1, Galit Rosen, Karin Nielsen-Saines

  • 1From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA , Los Angeles, CA , USA.

Infectious Diseases (London, England)
|February 5, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients face a high risk of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). Rare molds are increasingly prevalent, necessitating improved antifungal strategies to enhance patient survival.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Transplantation Immunology

Background:

  • Pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are a vulnerable population with a high risk of invasive fungal infections (IFIs).
  • Understanding the epidemiology and evolving patterns of IFIs in this cohort is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the incidence, spectrum of fungal organisms, and trends of IFIs in pediatric HSCT recipients.
  • To analyze changes in fungal organisms over time in relation to evolving antifungal practices.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of pediatric HSCT recipients at UCLA between 1991 and 2006.
  • Analysis of 324 HSCT transplants in 318 patients, identifying 69 unique fungal infections.

Main Results:

  • Overall incidence of IFIs was 14.5% (47/318 patients).
  • Predominant organisms were Candida species (51%) and Aspergillus species (26%), with a trend towards increasing rare molds over time.
  • The respiratory tract was the most common infection site (52.6%); fungal-related mortality was high (67.6% of deaths in IFIs).

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric HSCT recipients are at significant risk for IFIs, with a notable shift towards rarer fungal organisms.
  • Evolving antifungal practices may influence the prevalence of specific fungi.
  • Improved diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic strategies are essential to reduce IFI-related mortality in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
AspergillusCandidaFungal infectionsHSCTpediatricstem cell transplant

More Related Videos

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

2.1K
Detection of Residual Donor Erythroid Progenitor Cells after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Hemoglobinopathies11:59

Detection of Residual Donor Erythroid Progenitor Cells after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Hemoglobinopathies

Published on: September 6, 2017

7.9K

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...
2.7K
Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration01:21

Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration

Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell...
5.0K
Tissue Transplantation01:24

Tissue Transplantation

Tissue transplantation is a significant medical procedure involving the transfer of cells, tissues, or organs from a donor to a recipient, with the primary aim of restoring lost functions. This procedure is crucial in treating a broad spectrum of diseases, including kidney diseases, liver failure, heart disease, and certain types of cancers.
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...
1.3K
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...
3.6K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
391