Mucormycosis (formerly zygomycosis) is an uncommon but emerging infection that occurs in immunocompromised patients, including children and neonates. Previously, the term zygomycosis was used to refer to syndromes of mucormycosis and entomophthoromycosis, but updates in taxonomy determined that the phylum…
Agents of hyalohyphomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis are ubiquitous filamentous molds. (Moulds is the preferred spelling by many mycologists.) These molds are soil saprobes and plant pathogens that have gained notoriety as emerging pathogens in immunocompromised hosts, including children. The pathogenesis of…
Although yeasts such as Candida species are the most common causes of invasive fungal infections in children, Aspergillus infections are increasing and have a dismal mortality rate. Invasive aspergillosis is a prominent infection because of more intensive chemotherapies for certain…
Candida infections occur frequently in neonates, infants, and children, ranging from superficial skin infections to invasive disease. The number of children at risk for invasive candidiasis (IC) continues to increase due to new cancer therapies, increasing numbers of immunosuppressed solid…
Fungal disease contributes significantly to patients’ morbidity and mortality in certain clinical settings. Extensive medical interventions, immunosuppression, and a heightened awareness of fungal disease, particularly opportunistic mycoses in the setting of immune compromise, have all necessitated an increased understanding of…
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the major etiologic agent of enterically transmitted non-A viral hepatitis worldwide. It is a spherical, nonenveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus that is approximately 32–34 nm in diameter. HEV is the sole member of the family…
Astroviruses were first described in 1975 when they were detected by electron microscopy on stool specimens of infants with gastroenteritis. , Since 1990, with development of sensitive and specific diagnostic methods, including enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain…
Pathogens and Pathogenesis The first calicivirus was discovered in 1972 by electron microscopic examination of stool samples from children affected by an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school in Norwalk, Ohio, several years previously. This discovery of the subsequently named…
Acknowledgment Dr. Pappas retains the coauthorship of the late Dr. J. Owen Hendley as a tribute to his substantial contribution to our knowledge of respiratory viruses and to this chapter. Rhinoviruses ( rhino meaning “nose”) are the most common causes…
The Pathogen Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a positive-sense RNA virus and a member of the Picornaviridae family. The single-stranded RNA genome is approximately 7500 nucleotides long and contains a single open reading frame. The encoded polyprotein includes structural proteins…