Prevalence of Fungal Infections in Children with Hematologic Disorders and Determination of Anti-Fungal Susceptibility in Isolated Species

Fungal infections are among the most common life threatening conditions in patients with hematologic malignancies. The present study was carried out on children hospitalized in Amir Oncology Hospital of Shiraz, Iran, in order to determine the prevalence of fungal infections and respective susceptibility patterns to prophylactic antifungal therapies. Colonization was investigated in patients and the samples from patients with suspected infections were cultured. Mold fungal species were determined using lacto phenol cotton blue smear and yeasts through germ tube test, and sugar fermentation was performed through analytical profile index (API) method. In addition, broth microdilution technique was used to determine susceptibility. Based on the results, 46.8% of all patients (196 patients) were colonized with Candida spp. As revealed, 14 oral candidiasis cases were detected with Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusieas the respective etiologic agents. In addition, there were 10 proven, 13 probable, and 13 possible cases of fungal infection. The etiologic fungal agents included Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Mucor, Fusarium, and Alternaria. Considering the prevalence rates of fungal infections and susceptibility patterns of pathogenic fungi isolated from the patients in the region, the prevention and treatment of systemic fungal diseases is facilitated.