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Intracardiac Fungal Mass in a Term Neonate.
Magdy M El-Sayed Ahmed1, Mustafa Kurkluoglu2, Conor F Hynes2
1Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Zagazig University Faculty of Medicine, Zigzag, Egypt.
Methodist Debakey Cardiovascular Journal
|March 15, 2017
Summary
Systemic fungal infections, specifically candidemia, present serious risks in neonatal intensive care units. A rare case highlights a fungus ball in a neonate
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Systemic fungal infections, particularly candidemia, are a significant concern in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- Neonates are particularly vulnerable to invasive fungal infections due to immature immune systems.
Observation:
- A 9-day-old male neonate presented with polymicrobial sepsis and liver dysfunction.
- The neonate subsequently developed a superinfection with candidemia despite broad-spectrum antifungal treatment.
Findings:
- A large fungus ball, identified as Candida albicans, grew in the right ventricular outflow tract, compromising cardiac function.
- Surgical removal of the cardiac fungus ball was successfully performed via right atriotomy.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for severe cardiac complications from candidemia in neonates.
- Early recognition and aggressive management, including surgical intervention, are crucial for improving outcomes in such critical cases.
