Preprint Article Version 1 This version is not peer-reviewed

Central Nervous System Fungal Diseases in Children with Malignancies: A 15-Year Study from the Infection Working Group of The Hellenic Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology

Version 1 : Received: 7 August 2024 / Approved: 7 August 2024 / Online: 8 August 2024 (12:26:49 CEST)

How to cite: Petrikkos, L.; Kourti, M.; Antoniadi, K.; Tziola, T.-S.; Sfetsiori, A.-E.; Antari, V.; Savoukidou, S.; Avgerinou, G.; Fillipidou, M.; Papakonstantinou, E.; Polychronopoulou, S.; Hatzipantelis, E.; Doganis, D.; Kattamis, A.; Papadakis, V.; Roilides, E.; Tragiannidis, A. Central Nervous System Fungal Diseases in Children with Malignancies: A 15-Year Study from the Infection Working Group of The Hellenic Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology. Preprints 2024, 2024080531. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.0531.v1 Petrikkos, L.; Kourti, M.; Antoniadi, K.; Tziola, T.-S.; Sfetsiori, A.-E.; Antari, V.; Savoukidou, S.; Avgerinou, G.; Fillipidou, M.; Papakonstantinou, E.; Polychronopoulou, S.; Hatzipantelis, E.; Doganis, D.; Kattamis, A.; Papadakis, V.; Roilides, E.; Tragiannidis, A. Central Nervous System Fungal Diseases in Children with Malignancies: A 15-Year Study from the Infection Working Group of The Hellenic Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology. Preprints 2024, 2024080531. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.0531.v1

Abstract

We analyzed data of pediatric invasive fungal diseases of the central nervous system (CNS-IFDs) reported by five of total eight Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Departments in Greece for 15 years (2007-2022). A total of twelve patients (11 boys, median age: 9.5yrs range: 2-16) were reported suffering from CNS-IFDs. Underlying malignancy was acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 9/12, and acute myeloid leukemia, Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma in one each. Eleven patients presented with CNS-related symptoms (i.e seizures, headache, cerebral palsy, ataxia, hallucination, seizures, blurred vision, amaurosis). All patients had pathological MRI findings. Multifocal fungal disease was observed in 6/12 patients. Nine proven and three probable CNS-IFD cases were diagnosed. Causative pathogens in proven cases were Aspergillus spp. and Candida albicans (n=2 each), Mucor spp., Rhizopus arrhizus, Absidia spp., Fusarium oxysporum and Cryptococcus neoformans (n=1 each). Causative pathogens in probable cases were Aspergillus spp. (n=2) and Candida spp. (n=1). All patients received appropriate antifungal therapy (median duration: 69.5 days, range 19-364). Two patients underwent additional surgical treatment. Six patients admitted to ICU due to complications. Three patients (25%) died, two due to IFD and one due to underlying disease. Early recognition and prompt intervention of CNS-IFDs may rescue the patients and improve overall survival.

Keywords

central nervous system; invasive fungal infection; children; malignancies; outcome; brain abscess

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases

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