Abstract
Oncological patients are especially predisposed to fungal infections due to multiple risk factors and immunocompromising treatment. Epidemiological research regarding pediatric oncologic patients is still insufficient, and existing data are difficult to generalize on different populations. Therefore, we aimed to analyze fungal infections and fungal epidemiology in the Department of Oncology and Hematology of the University Children’s Hospital in Krakow with help from the Clinical Microbiology Department. During the chosen period of 2005 and 2015–2020, 2342 tests were performed in our ward on 847 patients. Analyzed samples were divided into five source groups. The amount of patients with positive test results was 62.5%. The year with the highest detection level was 2005. The most frequent pathogen was Candida albicans, with a significant decrease in tendency. An increase in non-albicans species was observed. Candida parapsilosis was not frequently observed compared to similar studies. We noticed an increase in positive results from the urinary tract material. Our results confirmed that fungal infections are still an issue, and they may indicate the efficacy of prophylaxis. The majority of our results are consistent with the literature, yet we managed to emphasize data unique to our patients’ population. Our findings are helpful in clinical work and for further studies in our center.
Highlights
Introduction iationsInfections are a major issue in the treatment of immunocompromised pediatric patients, as they are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality
The Clinical Microbiology Department of University Children’s Hospital in Krakow (UCH) performed a total of 23,334 mycological diagnostic tests in the year 2005 and during the years 2015–2020, which 2342 (10%) were run for the Department of Oncology and Hematology (DOH)
A significant increase in positive cultures of Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida lusitaniae, and Saccharomyces was observed between the analyzed years of 2015–2020 and
Summary
Infections are a major issue in the treatment of immunocompromised pediatric patients, as they are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Cancer is a state of impaired innate and adaptive immunity due to both treatment effects and the malignancy itself, and it leads to increased susceptibility to infections. Additional factors contributing to a patient’s vulnerability are, among others, prolonged leukopenia and neutropenia, malnutrition, disruption of physiological barriers of the mucosa and the skin, and impairment of microbiota or instilment of foreign bodies such as a central venous catheter. Diagnosis and treatment are important since delays make the infectious process progress quickly, or even generalize. Prophylaxis, rapid detection, and effective treatment are important factors for overall survival [1]
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