Etiology Mucormycosis refers to a group of opportunistic fungal infections caused by fungi of the order Mucorales, which are primitive, fast-growing fungi that are largely saprophytic and ubiquitous. These organisms are found commonly in soil, in decaying plant and animal…
The aspergilli are ubiquitous fungi whose normal ecological niche is that of a soil saprophyte that recycles carbon and nitrogen. The genus Aspergillus contains approximately 250 species, but most human disease is caused by Aspergillus fumigatus , A. flavus ,…
Invasive fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the growing number of immunocompromised children. Fortunately, the therapeutic armamentarium for invasive fungal infections has markedly increased since the turn of the century ( Tables 260.1 and 260.2…
Fungal infections in children generally can be divided into superficial infections that affect persons with normal immune systems and invasive infections that occur primarily in children who are immunocompromised. Children can be immunocompromised due to genetic defects, pre-term birth, hematopoietic…
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…