Incidence of Fungal Infections in Pediatric Patients with Hematologic Neoplasms

Fungal infections are one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological disorders. The frequency of these infections has increased during the past decades.
The rate of fungal infections was investigated in pediatric patients with hematological disorders, using traditional and real-time PCR methods, in order to establish proper management of these patients.
Over a 13-month period, 86 patients with hematological disorders were admitted and were kept under observation for the development of fungal infections. Fungal colonization was determined and clinical samples were examined by direct microscopic examination and culture. Blood specimens were cultured by bedside inoculation into a BACTEC medium. The results of the pathology smear were collected from the patients’ records. Real-time PCR was performed on all patients’ sera to diagnose invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis.
Candida colonization was seen in 42 (48.8%) and oral candidiasis was diagnosed in 7 (8%) patients. The incidence of invasive fungal infections was 16.3% (14/86) with a mortality rate of 50% in pediatric patients. The etiologic agents were Candida albicans in 5 cases, Aspergillus flavus in 3, and Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium, Alterneria and Mucor, each in 1 case. In 2 cases with liver abscess, only Candida PCR was positive. Fungemia was observed in 4 patients.
The rate of invasive fungal infections in our study was high. Early and accurate detection of these infections could result in a better outcome. In critical ill cases where only blood samples are available, molecular methods such as PCR could be more effective than culture for the detection of etiologic agents.