Related Experiment Videos
Candida endocarditis in an infant
I L Hartyánszky1, M Pintér, K Kádár
1Pediatric Department, Semmelweis Medical University School II, Budapest, Hungary.
Insights
A rare infant fungal endocarditis caused by Candida albicans was successfully treated with surgery. The infection likely originated from a contaminated intravenous line during prolonged parenteral nutrition following abdominal surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Infective endocarditis is uncommon in infants.
- Infants with complex surgical histories, like Hirschsprung's disease, may face increased risks.
- Candida albicans can cause severe infections, including endocarditis.
Abstract:
Infective endocarditis is a rare disease in infants. A 1-year-old boy with a large Candida albicans vegetation in the right atrium and superior vena cava was operated on successfully. During the newborn period he had had a right transverse colostomy for Hirschsprung's disease. Ten months later a subsequent rectosigmoidectomy and direct anastomosis were performed, but because of peritonitis that followed a leak at the site of the anastomosis parenteral nutrition was needed for 8 weeks. The probable source of Candida was an infected intravenous line.