Therapeutic strategies for invasive fungal infections in neonatal and pediatric patients

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 Dec;9(18):3179-96. doi: 10.1517/14656560802560005.

Abstract

Invasive Candida and Aspergillus infections are the most commonly encountered fungal infections. They appear to be life threatening in the setting of profound immunosuppression, whereas cases that are resistant to antifungal therapy are occasionally encountered. Novel antifungal triazole and echinocandin agents appear to exhibit good activity as first-line or salvage therapy, whereas the use of amphotericin B formulations is particularly valuable in neonates. Significant differences in toxicity have been demonstrated among various antifungal agents with in vitro activity from available comparative data on fungal infections in children: however, no clear difference in treatment efficacy has been demonstrated. However, very little data are available about neonates. Host factors and responsible fungal species most frequently guide the choice of therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal
  • Echinocandins / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Mycoses / drug therapy*
  • Mycoses / microbiology
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Triazoles
  • Amphotericin B