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[Mycological long-term examinations in hospitalized children with haemoblastoses and solid tumours]
Insights
Children with cancer, including leukemia and solid tumors, show significantly higher rates of Candida albicans yeast infections compared to healthy children. High fungal loads correlate with severe symptoms and disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Children with hematological malignancies and solid tumors are susceptible to opportunistic infections.
- Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen that can cause significant morbidity in immunocompromised individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess Candida albicans infections in children with cancer.
- To compare infection rates between ill children and a healthy control group.
- To investigate the correlation between Candida albicans load, clinical symptoms, and disease status.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative yeast culture from stool and urine samples.
- Semi-quantitative assessment of oral cavity candidiasis.
- Detection of antibodies against Candida albicans using cell agglutination tests.
- Long-term monitoring over several months in 54 children with cancer and 136 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Children with cancer had a significantly higher prevalence of Candida albicans infection (77.8%) compared to healthy children (38.2%).
- Infected children with leukemia in active disease or relapse showed higher Candida albicans loads (>10(7) cells/g) in stool compared to those in remission.
- High Candida albicans fecal loads were associated with aphthous stomatitis (31.5%), fungal presence in urine (29.6%), and elevated antibody titers (up to 1:2048).
Conclusions:
- Children with malignant diseases are at increased risk for Candida albicans infections.
- Regular mycological surveillance and targeted antifungal therapy are crucial for managing these patients.
- Early detection and treatment can potentially mitigate complications associated with candidiasis in pediatric cancer patients.
Abstract:
In 54 children with haemoblastoses and solid tumours and 136 healthy children as control group in long-term examinations lasting several months the yeast infection was quantitatively established in the faeces and in the urine as well as coarsely quantitatively in the oral cavity and by means of cell agglutination antibodies against Candida albicans were proved. With 77.8% the ill children were significantly more frequently infested by Candida albicans than the healthy children with 38.2%. In the faeces the Candida albicans infection reached values of more than 10(7) cells/g. This size of infection in patients with leucosis in the stage of the primary disease or a recidivation occurred significantly more frequently than in patients in full remission. With high quantities of Candida albicans in the faeces clinical symptoms of aphthous stomatitis (in 31.5% of the patients), findings of fungi in the urine (in altogether 29.6% of the patients) and increased antibody titres up to 1 : 2 048 were concomitant. A permanent mycological control and aimed antimycotic treatment are recommended for children with malignant diseases.