Treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis and candidal diaper dermatitis in neonates and infants: review and reappraisal

Antifungal Susceptibility of Oral Candida Isolates from Mother-Infant Dyads to Nystatin, Fluconazole, and Caspofungin

The carriage of Candida albicans in children's oral cavities is associated with a higher risk for early childhood caries, so controlling this fungus in early life is essential for preventing caries. In a prospective cohort of 41 mothers and their children from 0 to 2 years of age, this study addressed four main objectives: (1) Evaluate in vitro the antifungal agent susceptibility of oral Candida isolates from the mother-child cohort; (2) compare Candida susceptibility between isolates from the mothers and children; (3) assess longitudinal changes in the susceptibility of the isolates collected between 0 and 2 years; and (4) detect mutations in C. albicans antifungal resistance genes. Susceptibility to antifungal medications was tested by in vitro broth microdilution and expressed as the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). C. albicans clinical isolates were sequenced by whole genome sequencing, and the genes related to antifungal resistance, ERG3, ERG11, CDR1, CDR2, MDR1, and FKS1, were assessed. Four Candida spp. (n = 126) were isolated: C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. dubliniensis, and C. lusitaniae. Caspofungin was the most active drug for oral Candida, followed by fluconazole and nystatin. Two missense mutations in the CDR2 gene were shared among C. albicans isolates resistant to nystatin. Most of the children's C. albicans isolates had MIC values similar to those from their mothers, and 70% remained stable on antifungal medications from 0 to 2 years. For caspofungin, 29% of the children's isolates showed an increase in MIC values from 0 to 2 years. Results of the longitudinal cohort indicated that clinically used oral nystatin was ineffective in reducing the carriage of C. albicans in children; novel antifungal regimens in infants are needed for better oral yeast control.

Superficial Mycoses Associated with Diaper Dermatitis

Diapers create particular conditions of moisture and friction, and with urine and feces come increased pH and irritating enzymes (lipases and proteases). Fungi can take advantage of all these factors. Candida yeasts, especially C. albicans, are responsible for the most frequent secondary infections and are isolated in more than 80 % of cases. Correct diagnosis is important for ensuring the correct prescription of topical antimycotics. Nystatin, imidazoles and ciclopirox are effective. It is important to realize there are resistant strains. Dermatophytes can infect the diaper area, with the most common agent being Epidermophyton floccosum. The clinical characteristics of dermatophytosis are different from those of candidiasis, and it can be diagnosed and treated simply. Malassezia yeasts can aggravate conditions affecting the diaper area, such as seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and inverse psoriasis. Additional treatment is recommended in this case, because they usually involve complement activation and increased specific IgE levels. Erythrasma is a pseudomycosis that is indistinguishable from candidiasis and may also occur in large skin folds. It is treated with topical antibacterial products and some antimycotics.

Efficacy of nystatin for the treatment of oral candidiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To systematically review and assess the efficacy, different treatment protocols (formulation, dosage, and duration), and safety of nystatin for treating oral candidiasis.

Methods

Four electronic databases were searched for trials published in English till July 1, 2015. Randomized controlled trials comparing nystatin with other antifungal therapies or a placebo were included. Clinical and/or mycological cure was the outcome evaluation. A meta-analysis or descriptive study on the efficacy, treatment protocols, and safety of nystatin was conducted.

Results

The meta-analysis showed that nystatin pastille was significantly superior to placebo in treating denture stomatitis. Nystatin suspension was not superior to fluconazole in treating oral candidiasis in infants, children, or HIV/AIDS patients. The descriptive investigations showed that administration of nystatin suspension and pastilles in combination for 2 weeks might achieve a higher clinical and mycological cure rate, and using the nystatin pastilles alone might have a higher mycological cure rate, when compared with using nystatin suspensions alone. Nystatin pastilles at a dose of 400,000 IU resulted in a significantly higher mycological cure rate than that administrated at a dose of 200,000 IU. Furthermore, treatment with nystatin pastilles for 4 weeks seemed to have better clinical efficacy than treatment for 2 weeks. Descriptive safety assessment showed that poor taste and gastrointestinal adverse reaction are the most common adverse effects of nystatin.

Conclusion

Nystatin pastille was significantly superior to placebo in treating denture stomatitis, while nystatin suspension was not superior to fluconazole in treating oral candidiasis in infants, children, or HIV/AIDS patients. Indirect evidence from a descriptive study demonstrated that administration of nystatin pastille alone or pastille and suspension in combination is more effective than that of suspension alone; prolonged treatment duration for up to 4 weeks can increase the efficacy of nystatin. More well designed and high quality randomized control studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Induction of apoptosis in oral epithelial cells by Candida albicans

During infection, interactions between Candida albicans and oral epithelial cells result in oral epithelial cell death. This is clinically manifested by the development of oral mucosal ulcerations generally associated with discomfort. In vitro studies have shown that C. albicans induces early apoptotic alterations in oral epithelial cells; however, these studies have also shown that treatment of infected cells with caspase inhibitors does not prevent their death. The reasons for these contradictory results are unknown and it is still not clear if C. albicans stimulates oral epithelial signaling pathways that promote apoptotic cell death. Activation of specific death pathways in response to microbial organisms plays an essential role in modulating the pathogenesis of a variety of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to (i) characterize C. albicans-induced apoptotic morphological alterations in oral epithelial cells, and (ii) investigate the activation of apoptotic signaling pathways and expression of apoptotic genes during infection. Candida albicans induced early apoptotic changes in over 50% of oral epithelial cells. However, only 15% of those showed mid-late apoptotic alterations. At the molecular level, C. albicans caused a loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and translocation of mitochondrial cytochrome c. Caspase-3/9 activities increased only during the first hours of infection. Moreover, poly[ADP ribose] polymerase 1 was cleaved into apoptotic and necrotic-like fragments. Finally, five anti-apoptotic genes were significantly upregulated and two pro-apoptotic genes were downregulated during infection. Altogether, these findings indicate that epithelial apoptotic pathways are activated in response to C. albicans, but fail to progress and promote apoptotic cell death.

Fungal prophylaxis in very low birth weight neonates: nystatin, fluconazole or nothing?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To examine recent evidence on the efficacy of antifungal prophylaxis to prevent neonatal systemic fungal infection. The review also aims to examine other relevant data, including the incidence of fungal infection, adverse effects of antifungal therapy and avoidable risk factors.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is strong evidence that systemic fluconazole prophylaxis reduces the incidence of systemic fungal infections, with a trend towards reduction in mortality. However, the preprophylaxis incidence of fungal infection has been very high in the published studies. Fluconazole use is sometimes associated with cholestasis and there are theoretical concerns as well that prophylactic fluconazole will select for fluconazole-resistant organisms and nonalbicans Candida infections. There is reasonable evidence that oral nystatin is effective in preventing fungal infections and at the same time it is inexpensive and well tolerated. The reported incidence of systemic fungal infections is much lower in the UK than in the USA and Italy.

SUMMARY

Oral nystatin prophylaxis is inexpensive, effective and nontoxic and should be used routinely for babies of birth weight less than 1500 g. Systemic fluconazole, which is more toxic and may select for resistant fungi, is probably only indicated when the rate of fungal infection remains high despite introducing measures targeting known risk factors for fungal infection. These measures include introducing enteral feeds early, reducing the duration of parenteral feeding, and reducing the use of broad spectrum antibiotics, particularly cephalosporins. Future studies of prophylactic fluconazole should use oral nystatin, not placebo, as the comparator.

An ex-vivo oral mucosa infection model for the evaluation of the topical activity of antifungal agents

Although Nystatin has been used since 1950s as a non-absorbable antifungal agent, there is still no reliable in-vivo data available stating a dose-effect relationship of Nystatin-suspension in the treatment of oropharyngeal infection with Candida albicans. Here, we studied the efficacy of a commercially available topical Nystatin suspension in a new ex-vivo model of candidiasis using porcine oral mucosa. After 48 and 96 h of C. albicans infection, 230 IU Nystatin (standard dosage), 100 IU and 20 IU proved to be equally efficacious. Multiple applications of Nystatin were not superior compared with single application. In dosages of 10 and 0.1 IU the activity of Nystatin suspension against C. albicans was no longer confirmed. In an agar diffusion model, the minimal biocidal concentration of Nystatin proved to be 0.25 IU. Our results suggest that the proposed porcine ex-vivo model is much closer to the in-vivo situation compared with other established in-vitro models of the treatment of muco-cutaneous candidiasis and may provide a substitute for animal models in the investigation of antifungal agents. Additionally, it seems to be a valuable tool for further investigations of the pathogenesis of C. albicans infections.

Diaper dermatitis that does not quit

Diaper dermatitis is one of the most common skin disorders in infants. The humid, moist environment under the diaper makes the skin more susceptible to injury from exposure to irritants particularly related to urine and feces. A gentle cleansing routine, frequent diaper changes, and a thick barrier cream help control this condition. Irritant diaper dermatitis should be distinguished from other skin conditions that may develop in this sensitive area.

Clinical and mycological benefits of topical application of honey, olive oil and beeswax in diaper dermatitis

Twelve infants suffering from diaper dermatitis were treated four times daily for 7 days with a mixture containing honey, olive oil and beeswax. The severity of erythema was evaluated on a five-point scale. Three infants had severe erythema and ulceration, four had moderate erythema, and five had moderate erythema with maceration. The initial mean lesion score of 2.91 +/- 0.79 declined significantly (p < 0.05) to 2.0 +/- 0.98 (day 3), 1.25 +/- 0.96 (day 5) and 0.66 +/- 0.98 (day 7). Candida albicans was isolated initially from four patients, but from only two patients after treatment. This topical treatment was safe and well-tolerated, and demonstrated clinical and mycological benefits in the treatment of diaper dermatitis.

Diaper dermatitis: a review and brief survey of eruptions of the diaper area

Eruptions in the diaper area are the most common dermatologic problem in infancy. Such eruptions can be subdivided into primary diaper dermatitis, an acute inflammation of the skin in the diaper area with an ill-defined and multifactorial etiology, and secondary diaper dermatitis, a term which encompasses eruptions in the diaper area with defined etiologies. The most important factors in the development of primary diaper dermatitis are: (i) water/moisture, (ii) friction, (iii) urine, (iv) feces, and (v) microorganisms (sometimes). Possible treatments include minimizing diaper use and using disposable diapers, barrier creams, mild topical cortisones, and antifungal agents. A variety of other inflammatory and infectious processes can occur in the diaper area and an awareness of these secondary types of diaper dermatitis aids in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Prevention of Candida colonization prevents infection in a neonatal unit

This study represents a 1-year surveillance period using our epidemiology-based principles published and successfully followed since 1979: weekly culture for yeasts of oral and anal swabs, treatment with oral nystatin of all colonized newborns, and good hygiene/handwashing. Colonization was demonstrated in 23 out of 791 newborns admitted from October 1998 to September 1999. Twenty-two strains of Candida were identified: 16 C. albicans, 2 C. parapsilosis, 3 C. glabrata, and 1 C. tropicalis. Symptoms were erythema of the buttocks in 6 colonized newborns. No other culture positive for Candida could be found. Previous contamination was the main source (previous stay in an intensive care unit, rarely maternal origin). Contamination in the unit was unlikely. Eradication of Candida could be observed within 1 week. These good results, controversial in the literature, were obtained following epidemiological conclusions and support our guidelines.

Guideline vulvovaginal candidosis: guideline of the German Dermatological Society, the German Speaking Mycological Society and the Working Group for Infections and Infectimmunology of the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics

The Guideline vulvovaginal candidosis, as passed by three German medical societies, is presented.

Mucocutaneous candidiasis

Mucocutaneous infection with Candida in neonates ranges from such common conditions as thrush and diaper dermatitis to serious diseases with potential for systemic involvement, including congenital candidiasis and invasive fungal dermatitis. In premature infants, seemingly benign mucocutaneous involvement may precede systemic infection and thus warrants thoughtful attention. Skin involvement also may be seen as an expression of systemic disease. The physical appearance of these lesions is often characteristic, allowing easy diagnosis. The patients at risk differ by gestational age and postnatal age at presentation. Systemic candidiasis and invasive fungal dermatitis typically occur in premature infants, particularly those with extremely low birth weight (< or = 1,000 g), whereas thrush and diaper dermatitis may occur in infants of any gestational age or birth weight. Congenital candidiasis presents at birth, while invasive fungal dermatitis typically occurs within the first 2 weeks of life, and thrush, diaper dermatitis, and systemic candidiasis may occur at any time in infancy. Controversy exists concerning optimal therapy of mucocutaneous candidiasis.

Microbiological aspects of diaper dermatitis

BACKGROUND

The microbiological basis of diaper dermatitis is not clearly elucidated, although a better knowledge of microbial colonisation can be of importance with regard to an adequate treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relevance of candida sp. and Staphylococcus aureus colonisation in diaper dermatitis and to determine the correlation between the extent of colonisation and the severity of disease.

METHODS

Growth of candida sp. and S. aureus in the perianal, inguinal and oral regions was determined by positive/negative and semi-quantitative analysis in an open, multi-centre (n = 3) study. Forty-eight children with healthy skin and 28 with diaper dermatitis were analysed. The severity of diaper dermatitis was assessed using a total symptoms score.

RESULTS

Colonisation by candida sp. was significantly more frequent in children with diaper dermatitis as compared to those with healthy skin (perianal 75 vs. 19%; inguinal 50 vs. 10%; oral 68 vs. 25%, p < 0.0003), whereas colonisation by S. aureus at the 3 swab locations was not different (p > 0.34). There was a highly significant, positive correlation between severity of disease and extent of candida sp. colonisation at all swab locations.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited microbial colonisation in diaper dermatitis is of questionable relevance, but extensive colonisation seems to aggravate the symptoms; therefore, we suggest that semi-quantitative evaluation should be preferred to the positive/negative assessment for a differential diagnosis.

Comparison of fluconazole and nystatin oral suspensions for treatment of oral candidiasis in infants

Oral thrush is a common condition in young infants. Nystatin treatment is associated with frequent recurrences and difficulty in administration. Fluconazole was compared with nystatin for the treatment of oral candidiasis in infants. Thirty-four infants were randomized to either nystatin oral suspension four times a day for 10 days or fluconazole suspension 3 mg/kg in a single daily dose for 7 days. Clinical cures for nystatin were 6 of 19 (32%), and those for fluconazole were 15 of 15 (100%), P < 0.0001. In this small pilot study fluconazole was shown to be superior to nystatin suspension for the treatment of oral thrush in otherwise healthy infants.

Risk factors for postnatal mother-child transmission of HIV-1

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors affecting HIV-1 breastfeeding transmission.

DESIGN

Longitudinal observational cohort study.

METHODS

HIV-1 seropositive pregnant women and seronegative controls were enrolled at a maternity hospital in Nairobi. Women and their children were followed from birth, and data on HIV-1 transmission, breastfeeding, clinical illness, and growth were collected. Specimens for HIV-1 serology and/or polymerase chain reaction were obtained at birth, 2, 6, and 14 weeks, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months, and every 6 months thereafter. Children were classified as HIV-1 uninfected, perinatally, or postnatally infected. Potentially breastfeeding transmission related risk factors were compared between postnatally infected and uninfected children.

RESULTS

Among children born to seropositive or seroconverting mothers, 317 were uninfected, 51 infected perinatally and 42 infected postnatally. Identified risk factors for postnatal transmission were maternal nipple lesions (OR = 2.3, CI 95% 1.1-5.0), mastitis (OR = 2.7, CI 95% 1.1-6.7), maternal CD4 cell count < 400 mm3 (OR = 4.4, CI 95% 1.9-9.9), maternal seroconversion while breastfeeding (OR = 6.0, CI 95% 1.8-19.8), infant oral thrush at < 6 months of age (OR = 2.8, CI 95% 1.3-6.2) and breastfeeding longer than 15 months (OR = 2.4, CI 95% 1.2-5.1). All factors, except maternal seroconversion due to its rarity, were independently associated with an increased postnatal transmission risk by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

In addition perinatal antiretroviral therapies, public health strategies should address: (i) prevention of maternal nipple lesions, mastitis and infant thrush; (ii) reduction of breastfeeding duration by all HIV-1-infected mothers; (iii) absolute avoidance of breastfeeding by those at high risk, and (iv) prevention of HIV-1 transmission to breastfeeding mothers.

Diaper dermatitis

The primary goals of preventing and treating diaper dermatitis include keeping the skin dry, protected, and infection free. Frequent diaper changes with the superabsorbent disposable diapers may be the best tactic for infants' skin, if not the environment. Also, the more time that infants spend without diapers, the less dermatitis they experience, but a practical balance must be struck. Gentle cleansing and barrier creams are beneficial, and candidal infection must be treated. Finally, any recalcitrant diaper dermatitis must be further investigated to uncover underlying disease (Fig. 6).

Treatment of diaper dermatitis

Diaper rash therapy can be as simple as A, B, C, D, and E if you are able to identify generic diaper rash and exclude other causes. Components of diaper rash treatment include airing, barrier and other tropical product application, cleansing of the diaper area, diaper selection, and education of caregivers. Diaper rash therapy can be letter-perfect.