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Onychomycosis due to Candida parapsilosis in a Child with Ventricular Septal Defect: An Unusual Predisposition

Supram Hosuru Subramanya1, Deependra Hamal1, Niranjan Nayak1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara 33700, Nepal.

Case Reports in Pediatrics
|May 20, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Candida parapsilosis is an emerging cause of onychomycosis (nail fungal infection). This case highlights its occurrence in a pediatric patient with congenital heart disease, successfully treated with antifungals.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Candida parapsilosis is increasingly recognized as a pathogen.
  • Onychomycosis is a common nail infection, particularly in children.
  • Congenital heart disease and antibiotic use can be predisposing factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of pediatric onychomycosis caused by Candida parapsilosis.
  • To emphasize the diagnostic and therapeutic considerations for this emerging fungal pathogen.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical case presentation of a 4-year-old child with nail discoloration.
  • Microscopic examination and identification of Candida parapsilosis using phenotypic and genotypic methods.
  • Antifungal susceptibility testing via microbroth dilution.

Main Results:

  • Isolation and identification of Candida parapsilosis from nail scrapings.
  • Demonstration of susceptibility to topical amphotericin B and oral fluconazole.
  • Successful treatment outcomes with the prescribed antifungal regimen.

Conclusions:

  • Candida parapsilosis should be suspected in pediatric onychomycosis, especially with predisposing factors like congenital heart disease and antibiotic exposure.
  • Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antifungal therapy are crucial for successful management.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering C. parapsilosis in challenging pediatric fungal infections.

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