Primary cutaneous opportunistic mold infections in a pediatric population

Abstract

We sought to describe the features of cutaneous opportunistic mold infections in a general pediatric population. Computerized pathology records from Texas Children's Hospital in Houston during the years 1991 to 2000 were used to identify any biopsy specimens of skin diagnosed as having fungus or mold. The corresponding medical records were reviewed to identify cases of cutaneous opportunistic mold infections. Cases were limited to those with histologic confirmation of hyphae within the dermis or extending to the dermis. A total of 11 cases in neonates and 22 cases in children and adolescents were identified. Prematurity and low birth weight were the major risk factors in the neonatal population. The nonneonatal cases mainly occurred in those with malignancies or undergoing transplantation. Mortality in neonates was 64%, but decreased to 18% in the nonneonatal population. Our overview of cutaneous infection by opportunistic molds in a pediatric population highlights the risk factors, causative organisms, and outcome of this group of infections. Even in the presence of severe compromise of the immune system, children with primary cutaneous mold infections had a favorable outcome with appropriate diagnosis and therapy.