Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Non-invasive Imaging of Disseminated Candidiasis in Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: July 30, 2012
Candida lusitaniae Fungemia in Children: A multicenter case series of emerging pathogen
Ori Snapiri1, Chen Rosenberg Danziger1, Nimrod Sachs1,2
1Department of Pediatrics C, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Abstract:
Candida lusitaniae fungemia is a serious infection that is rarely reported in children. The aim of this study is to describe a case series of C. lusitaniae fungemia and review previous publications regarding this rare pathogen. This is a multicenter case series of children diagnosed with C. lusitaniae fungemia. A total of 18 cases that occurred over a 15-year period in five tertiary hospitals were included. Additionally, a review of the literature regarding C. lusitaniae fungemia in children was performed. A total of 18 cases were enrolled; 11/18 (61%) were males, with a mean age of 2.3 years. All patients had severe underlying diseases and risk factors for opportunistic infection, most commonly prematurity and malignancies. More than one-third of cases occurred during the last 2 years of the study period. All isolates were susceptible to all tested antifungals. The survival rate following the acute infection was 94%, whereas the survival rate of 14 previously published cases was 71%, with the most common underlying diseases being CGD and malignancies. Candida lusitaniae fungemia is not a common event in the pediatric population, occurring exclusively in children with severe underlying diseases and significant risk factors. This cohort revealed better clinical outcomes than previously reported. All tested isolates were susceptible to all antifungal agents; variability in susceptibility as previously reported was not found in this study. The allegedly higher rate of infection in recent years is in need of further investigation in larger prospective studies in order to conclude if a real trend is at play.
Insights
Candida lusitaniae fungemia is a rare but serious bloodstream infection in children. This study found improved survival rates in a recent case series compared to historical data.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
- Mycology
Background:
- Candida lusitaniae fungemia is an uncommon bloodstream infection in pediatric patients.
- This opportunistic fungal infection typically affects children with severe underlying conditions and risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a case series of Candida lusitaniae fungemia in children.
- To review existing literature on pediatric C. lusitaniae fungemia.
- To assess clinical outcomes and antifungal susceptibility patterns.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter case series involving 18 pediatric patients diagnosed with C. lusitaniae fungemia over 15 years.
- Literature review of previously published cases of pediatric C. lusitaniae fungemia.
- Analysis of patient demographics, underlying diseases, risk factors, antifungal susceptibility, and survival rates.
Main Results:
- The study identified 18 pediatric cases, predominantly in males (61%) with a mean age of 2.3 years.
- Common underlying conditions included prematurity and malignancies; all patients had severe diseases.
- A high survival rate of 94% was observed in this cohort, significantly higher than the 71% in previously reported cases. All isolates were susceptible to tested antifungals.
Conclusions:
- Candida lusitaniae fungemia remains a rare event in children, primarily affecting those with severe comorbidities.
- This case series demonstrates improved clinical outcomes compared to historical data.
- Consistent antifungal susceptibility was noted, contrasting with previous reports of variability. Further investigation is needed to confirm a potential increase in recent infections.
