Fungal endocarditis in neonates and children

Infective Endocarditis at a Referral Children's Hospital During 19-Year Period: Trends and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

We noted a recent increase in cases of infective endocarditis (IE) at our institution. The purpose of the study is to examine the incidence, risk factors, microbiology and outcome of IE in our pediatric population.

METHODS

Retrospective review of IE cases during 2002-2020 at Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit.

RESULTS

68 patients with IE were identified. There was a 2-fold increase in incidence during the 2012-2020 (late period) compared to the 2002-2011 (early period). The most common predisposing conditions were congenital heart disease (CHD) in 39 (57.4%) and central venous catheter (CVC) in 19 (27.9%). CHD was more frequent in the late period (29/43, 67.4%) compared to early period (10/25, 40.0%) (p = 0.042). In CHD patients, palliative or corrective cardiac surgery was performed prior to IE diagnosis in 4/25 (16%) in early period and 23/43 (53.5%) in the late period (p = 0.004). S. aureus was the most common causative organism (35.3%) followed by streptococci (22.1%). Valve replacement or valvuloplasty was performed in 22.1% of patients. Complications occurred in 20 (29.4%). Mortality occurred in 7 (10.3%): 3 had CHD, 3 had CVC and underlying conditions and 1 had fulminant MRSA infection.

CONCLUSION(S)

The higher incidence of IE during the late period is likely due to an increase in patients with CHD who had undergone prior cardiac surgery. S. aureus was the predominant pathogen in all patients including those with CHD, followed by streptococci. IE in children continues to be associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality.

Infective endocarditis in pediatric patients: a decade of insights from a leading Spanish heart surgery reference center

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare disease in children and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In recent years, significant changes have occurred in pediatric care that could have influenced the microbiology and presentation of IE. The aim of this work was to study epidemiological, microbiological, and clinical features of IE treated at a Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Reference Center located in Madrid (Spain) in a 10-years' period. A descriptive observational retrospective study was performed, including pediatric patients < 16 years old with definite or possible IE admitted to a reference center between January 2012 and December 2021. Thirty-two IE episodes were identified. Twenty-eight (87.5%) had congenital heart disease (CHD), 8 (25.0%) were preterm infants, 1 (3.1%) was immunocompromised and 6 (18.8%) had other chronic conditions; in 11 (34.4%) episodes more than one underlying condition was associated. In 20 (62.5%) episodes there was an indwelling central venous catheter (CVC); children with other comorbidities (preterm, immunocompromised, other chronic conditions) were more likely to have a CVC at diagnosis compared with patients with isolated CHD (p < 0.001). Thirty-six microbiological isolates were obtained in the 32 episodes; 4 (12.5%) episodes had 2 isolated microorganisms. Microbiological isolates were 20 (55.6%) Gram-positive bacteria (GPB), 10 (27.8%) non-HACEK Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), 1 (2.8%) HACEK-group bacterium, 4 (11.1%) fungi and 1 (2.8%) Coxiella burnetii. In 10 (31.3%) episodes, patients were colonized by multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) and the etiology of IE in 3 (30.0%) of those episodes was the colonizing MDRB. MDRB colonization was associated with MDRB IE (p = 0.007). The most common complication was septic embolism: 11 (34.4%) episodes (9 pulmonary and 2 cerebral). In-hospital mortality was 6.3% (n = 2), all of them due to underlying conditions and not to IE or its complications. Clinical features and complications of IE episodes caused by non-HACEK GNB and those caused by GPB were compared, finding no statistically significant differences.    Conclusion: Risk factors for developing IE, the proportion of embolic complications, and mortality rate were consistent with previously published findings. Proportion of IE cases attributed to non-HACEK GNB was higher than previously reported, suggesting an evolving epidemiology of IE. One-third of children colonized with MDRB subsequently developed IE caused by the same MDRB strains, so empirical coverage of MDRB organisms must be considered when IE is suspected in MDRB colonized patients. No significant differences in clinical features and complications were observed when comparing IE episodes caused by non-HACEK GNB and those caused by GPB, however larger cohort studies are needed. What is Known: • Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare disease in children, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. • The main risk factor for developing IE in children is an underlying congenital heart disease. What is New: • With current changing epidemiology in pediatric IE, a higher proportion of IE caused by non-HACEK Gram-negative bacteria should be expected. • A significant percentage of children colonized by multidrug-resistant bacteria can develop an IE due to those bacteria.

Unusual large mass on aortic valve in an infant

Mass on the aortic valve is extremely rare in children, and the differential diagnosis includes vegetation, thrombus, and primary cardiac tumors. A rise in infective endocarditis in infants is seen due to increasing survival of children with congenital heart diseases and sick newborn infants with prolonged hospitalization. We report a 4-month-old infant born prematurely with early-onset sepsis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment and valvular aortic stenosis presenting with sudden hemodynamic compromise due to aortic vegetation extending into the ascending aorta eroding through its posterior wall. The report details management of our case and a brief description of available alternative treatment strategies.

Aspergillus flavus endocarditis and meningitis in a child with marfan syndrome

Background and Purpose:

Aspergillus species are implicated as the etiology of approximately 26% of endocarditis cases. Central nervous system aspergillosis is a life-threatening condition that has a mortality rate of 80%.

Case report:

Herein, we report a four– year- old female who was admitted to the pediatric infectious ward due to a fever of unknown origin in January 2020. She was a known case of Marfan syndrome with a family history of this syndrome in her mother. The species was identified using (PCR) and the antifungal susceptibility test was performed using four antifungal agents based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38 3rd edition. Fluconazole-resistant Aspergillus flavus was identified to be responsible for endocarditis and meningitis as well as fever of unknown origin.

Conclusion:

The clinicians should be aware and consider fungal endocarditis in blood culture-negative endocarditis even in patients with no significant risk factor when antibiotic therapy fails.

Successful medical management of fungal infective endocarditis post VSD closure

Fungal infective endocarditis (IE) is uncommon in postoperative cardiac surgical patients. The fungal IE accounts for 1.3%–6.8% of all IE cases and is considered the most severe form with a mortality rate as high as 45%–50%. There are various predisposing factors for fungal IE which include congenital heart defects, cardiac interventions like pacemaker insertion, degenerative valvular heart diseases, long-term use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, and long-term use of central venous. Mortality can reach up to 100% without specific treatment. Definitive therapy necessitates surgical debridement of vegetations/mass/abscess followed by long-term treatment with antifungal agents in patients who have symptoms of heart failure despite optimum medical management. We, hereby, report a case of fungal IE which occurred after the closure of a ventricular septal defect and was treated successfully with liposomal amphotericin B.

Endocarditis infecciosa debida a candida lusitaniae en un lactante menor: Reporte de caso

Introducción: La endocarditis fúngica es una enfermedad infecciosa agresiva e infrecuente, considerada una emergencia en los servicios hospitalarios. Se ha evidenciado una incidencia de 0-12% del total de las admisiones pediátricas por endocarditis infecciosa. La mortalidad por Candida spp se encuentra alrededor del 50-80% en todos los casos. La Candida lusitaniae afecta principalmente a pacientes inmunocomprometidos, con uso de dispositivos intravasculares y el empleo de antibióticos de amplio espectro. Reporte de caso: Se presenta el caso de un lactante menor quien es diagnosticado con fungemia y endocarditis infecciosa por Candida lusitaniae en válvula nativa posterior a cirugía de corrección por transposición de grandes vasos. Discusión y Conclusiones: La endocarditis infecciosa por Candida lusitaniae es una entidad poco frecuente, con una prevalencia menor al 2% constituyéndose un escenario desafiante en la práctica clínica. Se describen las características de un lactante menor quien presentó endocarditis fúngica ya definidas en la literatura mundial. Es imprescindible la detección temprana y una intervención terapéutica vertiginosa; puesto que, la persistencia del inoculo, la resistencia antimicótica y el retraso en el diagnóstico conllevan a una condición amenazante para la vida del paciente.

The Frequency of Infective Endocarditis in Candida Bloodstream Infections: a Retrospective Study in a Child Hospital

Introduction

Fungal endocarditis is reported less frequently than bacterial endocarditis, with an incidence of 0-12% of the total pediatric infective endocarditis.

Objective

In this study, the incidence of infective endocarditis in Candida bloodstream infections in a tertiary hospital during the periods of 2007 and 2016 was reviewed.

Methods

Patients with positive blood or catheter cultures in terms of Candida spp. during the study period of January 2007 and January 2016 were analyzed in terms of Candida infective endocarditis. Infective endocarditis was defined according to the modified Duke criteria. The outcome, possible associated predisposing factors for Candida endocarditis were determined.

Results

221 patients and 256 attacks with positive blood or catheter cultures in terms of Candida were included in the study. The most common Candida species was Candida parapsilosis, isolated in 157 (61.3%) attacks, followed by Candida albicans in 70 (27.3%). Neurological diseases (23%), hemato-oncological diseases (12.1%), previously known heart diseases (8.2%), inborn errors of metabolism (9%) were common comorbidities. Twelve (5.4%) patients had a previous history of cardiac surgery. Among the 221 patients, Candida endocarditis was present in only two (0.9%) of them.

Conclusion

Although Candida infective endocarditis is an uncommon but frequently fatal infection in pediatrics, echocardiography should be performed routinely for patients with positive blood or catheter cultures in terms of Candida. Prompt and effective antimicrobial therapy might prevent cardiac surgery in selected cases, however this could not be a general rule for all patients.

Aspergillus flavus endocarditis in an immunocompetent child. Case report

Fungal endocarditis (FE) is a rare infection in pediatrics which accounts for 5% of the cases of infective endocarditis. This pathology affects immunosuppressed patients in a greater proportion. We present an immunocompetent 7- year-old female with a history of multiple cardiac surgeries who developed fungal endocarditis due to Aspergillus flavus. The histology study showed liquefactive necrosis and septate hyphae of Aspergillus sp type. The clinical outcome was favorable and the ambulatory follow-up after 12 months showed no new complications.

Fungal Endocarditis

Fungal endocarditis is a rare and fatal condition. The Candida and Aspergillus species are the two most common etiologic fungi found responsible for fungal endocarditis. Fever and changing heart murmur are the most common clinical manifestations. Some patients may have a fever of unknown origin as the onset symptom. The diagnosis of fungal endocarditis is challenging, and diagnosis of prosthetic valve fungal endocarditis is extremely difficult. The optimum antifungal therapy still remains debatable. Treating Candida endocarditis can be difficult because the Candida species can form biofilms on native and prosthetic heart valves. Combined treatment appears superior to monotherapy. Combination of antifungal therapy and surgical debridement might bring about better prognosis.

Fungal endocarditis in paediatrics: a review of 192 cases (1971-2016)

BACKGROUND

The aims of this article were to review the published literature on fungal endocarditis in children and to discuss the aetiology and diagnosis, with emphasis on non-invasive methods and various treatment regimes.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed published cases and case series of fungal endocarditis in children. We searched the literature, including PubMed and individual references for publications of original articles, single cases, or case series of paediatric fungal endocarditis, with the following keywords: "fungal endocarditis", "neonates", "infants", "child", and "cardiac vegetation".

RESULTS

There have been 192 documented cases of fungal endocarditis in paediatrics. The highest number of cases was reported in infants (93/192, 48%) including 60 in neonates. Of the neonatal cases, 57 were premature with a median gestational age of 27 weeks and median birth weight of 860 g. Overall, 120 yeast - fungus that grows as a single cell - infections and 43 mould - fungus that grows in multicellular filaments, hyphae - infections were reported. With increasing age, there was an increased infection rate with moulds. All the yeast infections were detected by blood culture. In cases with mould infection, diagnosis was mainly established by culture or histology of emboli or infected valves after invasive surgical procedures. There have been a few recent cases of successful early diagnosis by non-invasive methods such as blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for moulds. The overall mortality for paediatric fungal endocarditis was 56.25%. The most important cause of death was cardiac complications due to heart failure. Among the various treatment regimens used, none of them was significantly associated with better outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-invasive methods such as PCR tests can be used to improve the chances of detecting and identifying the aetiological agent in a timely manner. Delays in the diagnosis of these infections may result in high mortality and morbidity. No significant difference was noted between combined surgical and medical therapy over exclusively combined medical therapy.

Recognition and Clinical Presentation of Invasive Fungal Disease in Neonates and Children

Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are devastating opportunistic infections that result in significant morbidity and death in a broad range of pediatric patients, particularly those with a compromised immune system. Recognizing them can be difficult, because nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms or isolated fever are frequently the only presenting features. Therefore, a high index of clinical suspicion is necessary in patients at increased risk of IFD, which requires knowledge of the pediatric patient population at risk, additional predisposing factors within this population, and the clinical signs and symptoms of IFD. With this review, we aim to summarize current knowledge regarding the recognition and clinical presentation of IFD in neonates and children.

Pathogenic factors in Candida biofilm-related infectious diseases

Candida albicans is a commonly found member of the human microflora and is a major human opportunistic fungal pathogen. A perturbation of the microbiome can lead to infectious diseases caused by various micro-organisms, including C. albicans. Moreover, the interactions between C. albicans and bacteria are considered to play critical roles in human health. The major biological feature of C. albicans, which impacts human health, resides in its ability to form biofilms. In particular, the extracellular matrix (ECM) of Candida biofilm plays a multifaceted role and therefore may be considered as a highly attractive target to combat biofilm-related infectious diseases. In addition, extracellular DNA (eDNA) also plays a crucial role in Candida biofilm formation and its structural integrity and induces the morphological transition from yeast to the hyphal growth form during C. albicans biofilm development. This review focuses on pathogenic factors such as eDNA in Candida biofilm formation and its ECM production and provides meaningful information for future studies to develop a novel strategy to battle infectious diseases elicited by Candida-formed biofilm.

Incidence and outcome of documented fungal endocarditis

BACKGROUND

Fungal endocarditis, the most severe form of infective endocarditis, is characterized by excessive mortality and morbidity.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to analyze the characteristics of fungal endocarditis to improve the management of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, vegetations on the mitral or tricuspid valves and embolic material surgically removed from the patients with suspected infective endocarditis between December 2009 and November 2011 were examined for fungal infection by direct smear and culture, and the susceptibility patterns of the isolated species were determined. Then, blood samples were cultured on BACTEC media and real-time PCR was done with blood and tissue samples.

RESULTS

Of the 31 patients with suspected infective endocarditis who did not respond to antibacterial therapy, 11 had confirmed fungal endocarditis. The most frequent predisposing risk factors were previous surgery and drug abuse. The organisms isolated were Aspergillus spp. and Candida albicans. Resistance to amphotericin B and itraconazole was observed in Aspergillus species, and to fluconazole in Candida albicans. Positive PCR results were obtained in blood and tissue samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Fungal endocarditis should be considered in the patients not responsive to antimicrobials. Moreover, management of these patients can be improved with molecular diagnostic methods and by determining the susceptibility patterns of the etiologic agents.

Endocarditis due to a co-infection of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis in a drug abuser

In recent decades the incidence of Candida endocarditis has increased dramatically. Despite the application of surgery and antifungal therapy, Candida endocarditis remains a life-threatening infection with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a 37-year-old male drug abuser presenting with high fever, chest pain, loss of appetite and cardiac failure. His echocardiography revealed mobile large tricuspid valve vegetations. Fungal endocarditis was confirmed by culturing of the resected vegetation showing mixed growth of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, although three consecutive blood cultures were negative for Candida species. Phenotypic identification was reconfirmed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS rDNA) region. The patient was initially treated with intravenous fluconazole (6 mg kg(-1) per day), followed by 2 weeks of intravenous amphotericin B deoxycholate (1 mg kg(-1) per day). Although MICs were low for both drugs, the patient's antifungal therapy combined with valve replacement failed, and he died due to respiratory failure.

[Candida albicans endocarditis after treatment of complete atrioventricular canal]

Infective endocarditis is rare in children, it is rarer after a surgical treatment of atrioventricular canal, and it is exceptional that Candida albicans is the etiologic agent. This is a serious infection found in congenital heart disease with or without surgery. It is potentially lethal, despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances. We report a case of infective endocarditis due to C. albicans after the treatment of a congenital systemic atrioventricular canal in a child with trisomy 21. The diagnosis was suspected on clinical manifestations and cardiac auscultation. Confirmation was provided by positive blood cultures and echocardiography. The large size of the vegetation in the patient was in favor of a fungal etiology, blood cultures allowed to identify the fungus. This observation illustrates a poorly understood disease, with very poor prognosis and which is a potential complication of heart surgery. The improved prognosis should be achieved by shortening the time to diagnosis and optimizing the therapeutic support.

[Infective fungal endocarditis in patients with no previous cardiac disease]

Infective endocarditis is a serious and uncommon condition affecting the endocardium. Less than 10% of these cases are of fungal origin. A growing number of individuals are at high risk, due to insertion of central venous catheters, total parenteral nutrition and prolonged exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics, even without previous heart diseases. We retrospectively analysed the records of six children with Candida endocarditis, reviewing the comorbidities, clinical outcome, and treatment. The antifungal agents used were amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine and fluconazole. Patients underwent surgical excision of vegetation, five tricuspid valve repairs and one mitral valve replacement. There were no hospital deaths, and one child needed a new valvuloplasty one year later. The mean follow up was five years, and all have good valvular function without recurrent endocarditis. A combination of synergistic long-term antifungal treatment and early surgical intervention is recommended.

Successful management of fungal pericarditis and endocarditis in a neonate: A case report

Neonatal fungal endocarditis is a rare but serious infection, which does not have a well-accepted management method. This is the second report of this condition in Saudi Arabia. A preterm, very low birth weight, female neonate presented with fever and shortness of breath. An echocardiogram showed moderate pericardial effusion and two masses in the heart, one in the right ventricle and the other in the inferior portion of the posterior mitral valve of the left ventricle. Blood and pericardial fluid cultures revealed an infection with Candida albicans. The patient received a 60 days course of intravenous fluconazole and amphotericin B lipid complex. At the conclusion of treatment, she was discharged in good condition with no echocardiographic evidence of pericardial effusion or fungal vegetations. Thus, a successful outcome to a serious case of fungal endocarditis was achieved through aggressive antifungal therapy with intravenous fluconazole and amphotericin B lipid complex.

Case studies of elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The treatment of patients with non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is often the treatment of elderly patients, as most patients are older than 65 years at diagnosis. These elderly patients present particular therapeutic challenges, because they may be more frail and at greater risk of treatment-related toxicity, especially anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity, than younger patients. The following two case studies illustrate the challenges and therapeutic decision-making in managing elderly patients with an aggressive and an indolent form of lymphoma.

Infective endocarditis in congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) has become the leading risk factor for pediatric infective endocarditis (IE) in developed countries after the decline of rheumatic heart disease. Advances in catheter- and surgery-based cardiac interventions have rendered almost all types of CHD amenable to complete correction or at least palliation. Patient survival has increased, and a new patient population, referred to as adult CHD (ACHD) patients, has emerged. Implanted prosthetic material paves the way for cardiovascular device-related infections, but studies on the management of CHD-associated IE in the era of cardiovascular devices are scarce. The types of heart malformation (unrepaired, repaired, palliated) substantially differ in their lifetime risks for IE. Streptococci and staphylococci are the predominant pathogens. Right-sided IE is more frequently seen in patients with CHD. Relevant comorbidity caused by cardiac and extracardiac episode-related complications is high. Transesophageal echocardiography is recommended for more precise visualization of vegetations, especially in complex type of CHD in ACHD patients. Antimicrobial therapy and surgical management of IE remain challenging, but outcome of CHD-associated IE from the neonate to the adult is better than in other forms of IE.

CONCLUSION

Primary prevention of IE is vital and includes good dental health and skin hygiene; antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated only in high-risk patients undergoing oral mucosal procedures.

Two cases of aspergillus endocarditis in non neutropenic children on chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Fungal endocarditis (FE) is a rare complication in immunocompromised patients which is difficult to diagnose and has been characterized by excessive mortality (> 50%) and morbidity, regardless of treatment. The lack of clinical trials due to the small number of cases contributes further to a poor outcome. In our two cases of aspergilllus endocarditis we reviewed the clinical features, echocardiographic findings, microbiologic data, treatment, and outcome of these 2 cases and provide a current characterization of the syndrome. In this paper we have demonstrated the diversity of presentation of a critical fungal infection in immunocompromised but non neutropenic paediatric patients. The prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment is crucial for a favourable outcome along with the use of double antifungal treatment with liposomal amphotericin and voriconazole initially which could be later switched to oral voriconazole with a good tissue penetration. Histological samples as well as radiological evidence and echocardiograms should be reviewed by experienced clinicians in order to aid diagnosis and promptly initiate treatment for these patients in order to achieve a favourable outcome.

Incidence and predictors of invasive candidiasis associated with candidaemia in children

Risk factors for invasive candidiasis in children with candidaemia are poorly defined. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all children with candidaemia at our tertiary children's hospital from 2000 to 2006. Invasive candidiasis was diagnosed by review of the medical record and standardised EORTC/MSG criteria. A variety of risk factors for invasive candidiasis were explored. Of 194 episodes of candidaemia in the microbiology laboratory database, 180 clinical records were available. Evaluation for invasive candidiasis consisted of 174 (97%) echocardiograms, 167 (93%) dilated ophthalmological examinations, 136 (76%) chest CT scans and 108 (60%) abdominal ultrasounds (complete, hepatosplenic or renal). Of the 180 patients, 15 (8%) were identified with invasive candidiasis (4 proven, 1 probable, 10 possible). Prematurity <32 weeks (P < 0.01), an underlying immunocompromising disorder (P < 0.01), and ≥2 days of candidaemia (P = 0.05) were significantly associated with invasive candidiasis. Invasive candidiasis, especially proven or probable, in the setting of candidaemia was not common in our hospital, but premature infants and immunocompromised children were at significantly higher risk. Based on our findings, extensive imaging and examination by an ophthalmologist were particularly low-yield for invasive candidiasis in immunocompetent children beyond infancy.

[The Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (SEIP) recommendations on the diagnosis and management of invasive candidiasis]

Candida yeasts are ubiquitous commensals, which can cause opportunistic infection in any location of the body. The source of infection may be both endogenous and exogenous. Invasive candidiasis encompasses different entities ranging from invasive candidiasis to disseminated multiorgan infection. Invasive candidiasis is the third leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infection and the fourth of all nosocomial infections. It is also the most common invasive fungal infection in non-neutropenic critically ill patients, with a remarkable increase in the last 20 years owing to the increased survival of these patients and to more complex diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures. Its incidence in infants, according to recent reviews, stands at 38.8 cases/100,000 children younger than 1 year. Candida albicans remains the most frequent isolate in invasive infections, although infections caused by other species have risen in the last years, such as C. kruzsei, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis; the latter causing invasive candidiasis mainly associated with central venous catheter management, especially in neonatal units. The overall mortality of invasive candidiasis is high, with 30-day mortality reaching 20-44% in some series involving paediatric patients. This report provides an update on incidence, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of invasive infection by Candida spp. in the paediatric patient.

Determination of urinary D-/L-arabinitol ratios as a biomarker for invasive candidiasis in children with cardiac diseases

A non-invasive, non-culture-based method of determining urinary D-/L-arabinitol (D-/L-ARA) ratios was investigated as a tool for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in nosocomial paediatric infection cases. The study encompassed 138 children aged 4 days to 16 years (mean ± SD=1.6 ± 4.2 years) with congenital heart defects (91.4%) or with rhythm disorders or circulatory failure (8.6%). ARA enantiomers were detected by GC using an electron capture detector. Positive D-/L-ARA ratios were found for 11/11 patients with proven candidiasis and 17/19 patients with clinically suspected invasive candidiasis. Thirty children were undergoing antifungal chemotherapy. D-/L-ARA ratios (mean ± SD) were 2.601 ± 0.544 in hospitalized cardiac patients without fungal infection and 5.120 ± 1.253 in those receiving antifungal therapy (P<0.001). The sensitivity of the method was 100%, the specificity 97.2%, the positive predictive value was 78.6% and the negative predictive value was 100%.

Acute Cardiac Failure due to Intra-Atrial Mass Caused by Zygomycetes in an Immunocompromised Paediatric Patient

Cardiac zygomycosis can be a critical condition with sudden onset of severe congestive heart failure followed by severe hemodynamic deterioration. We report a fatal course of disseminated fungal infection with a massive intra-atrial thrombosis caused by a zygomycete, in a five year old boy treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. In addition, we discuss the literature concerning infections caused by zygomycetes involving the heart. Prognosis is poor. A high index of suspicion and an aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach with the prompt start of preemptive antifungal therapy are key factors to improve outcome.

Successful resolution of cardiac mycetomas by combined liposomal Amphotericin B with Fluconazole treatment in premature neonates

This manuscript reports on two very low birth weight premature infants with respiratory distress, receiving parenteral nutrition and broad-spectrum antibiotics for about 3 weeks, who developed Candida albicans sepsis associated with fungal mycoses and endocarditis, despite treatment with Amphotericin B and Caspofungin. On days 40 and 47, respectively, antifungal therapy was modified to liposomal Amphotericin B combined with Fluconazole 6 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks, resulting in complete resolution of the mycetomas. Our observations suggest that the combination of liposomal Amphotericin B with Fluconazole is able to result in complete resolution of cardiac mycetomas in preterm infants.

Endocarditis por Aspergillus fumigatus en válvula nativa con hemocultivo positivo y galactomanano negativo. Descripción de un caso y revisión de la literatura

Native valve endocarditis caused by Aspergillus spp. is an uncommon disease with a high mortality rate. Generally, Aspergillus is isolated from affected valve in post-mortem or biopsy specimens. However, its isolation from blood cultures is exceedingly rare. We report a case of fungal endocarditis in a native mitral valve with the isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus both in valve vegetation and in blood culture bottles. The patient underwent valve replacement and antifungal treatment with voriconazole and caspofungin, but he died on post-operative day 45 with disseminated aspergillosis confirmed by necropsy. Paradoxically, galactomannan antigen detection in serum was negative. This is the third case of Aspergillus endocarditis with positive blood culture reported in the literature.