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Gastrointestinal Zygomycosis in a Preterm Neonate Associated With Contaminated Probiotics

Matthew J Bizzarro1, David R Peaper2, Raffaella A Morotti3

  • 1From the Department of Pediatrics.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|January 19, 2021
PubMed

Insights

A premature infant developed necrotizing enterocolitis after receiving probiotics. Fungal infection, Rhizopus oryzae, was identified in the infant and the probiotic powder, linking contaminated probiotics to the illness.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Mycology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal condition affecting premature infants.
  • Probiotics are often administered to preterm neonates to improve gut health.
  • Fungal infections can be life-threatening in immunocompromised neonates.

Observation:

  • A neonate born at 29 weeks' gestation presented with clinical signs consistent with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis.
  • Examination of resected ileal tissue revealed fungal elements within the bowel wall.

Findings:

  • DNA sequencing identified Rhizopus oryzae in both the probiotic powder administered to the infant and the infant's tissue specimens.
  • This is the first reported case linking gastrointestinal zygomycosis (a fungal infection) to the use of contaminated probiotics.

Implications:

  • Contaminated probiotics pose a significant risk of invasive fungal infections in vulnerable neonates.
  • This case highlights the critical importance of stringent quality control and screening of probiotic products for clinical use.
  • Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and risk factors associated with fungal contamination in probiotics.

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