amphotericin-b and Diseases-in-Twins

Primary invasive cutaneous aspergillosis is a rare fungal infection that occurs mostly in immunocompromised patients. Newborns of very low birth weight present a high risk for this type of infection due to an immaturity of the cutaneous barrier and of the immune system.. We describe here a case of simultaneous invasive cutaneous aspergillosis in two preterm twins. Two male preterm bichorionic biamniotic twins (A & B) were born at a general hospital by spontaneous normal delivery at 24 weeks and 6 days of gestation. They were transferred to our hospital where they receive surfactant, antibiotics and hydrocortisone. Six days later, twin A showed greenish lesions in the umbilical region. The spectrum of antibiotic therapy was broadened and fluconazole was added. The umbilical catheters of the two twins were removed and replaced by epicutaneo-cava venous catheters and the cultures were positive for Aspergillus fumigatus. Fluconazole was replaced in both twins by liposomal amphotericin B and the incubators were changed. The serum galactomannan was also positive for both twins. At day 10, yellowish lesions appeared in the abdominal region in twin B. He died on day 18 following complications related to his prematurity. Concerning the twin A, serum galactomannan was negative on day 30; liposomal amphotericin B was stopped 1 week later, with a relay by econazole (cream). His condition improved and on day 66 he was transferred for follow-up at the general hospital where he was born.. The source of contamination by A. fumigatus was not identified, but other similar cases from the literature include construction work at or near the hospital, oximeter sensors, latex finger stalls, non-sterile gloves, humidifying chambers of incubators, bedding and adhesive tapes. The skin fragility of preterm newborns is an excellent potential entry point for environmental fungal infections. These cases highlight the importance of suspecting primary cutaneous aspergillosis in extremely low birth weight neonates with rapidly progressive necrotic lesions.

Topics: Adult; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus fumigatus; Diseases in Twins; Female; Fluconazole; Gloves, Protective; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Male; Pregnancy; Skin Diseases, Infectious

Leishmaniasis is endemic in many countries worldwide, with a prevalence of 12 million people infected, and an estimated annual incidence of 500 000 visceral leishmaniasis cases. In Europe visceral leishmaniasis is considered endemic mainly in the Mediterranean countries and cases in non-endemic European countries north of the Alps have primarily been reported in returning travellers. The incubation period is typically described between 6 weeks to 6 months. The cases presented highlight the occurrence of longer incubation periods and illustrate the individual variability for progression from infection to disease.. We report the cases of 18-months-old twin girls living at the German-Swiss border, who developed visceral leishmaniasis 7 and 15 months after travelling to Tuscany. They presented with fever of unknown origin and pancytopenia. Both had splenomegaly and in the first case haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis or leukaemia was initially included in the differential diagnosis. Diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis was confirmed by presence of intracytoplasmic localised leishmania parasites on bone marrow aspirate and/or positive leishmania serology. Both girls responded well to treatment with liposomal amphotericin B. The mother and two older siblings remained uninfected, while the father was diagnosed to be an asymptomatic carrier.. Visceral leishmaniasis is an important differential diagnosis for fever of unknown origin and pancytopenia in young children living in countries with endemic disease and highlights the importance of obtaining a detailed travel history. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and acute leukaemia present with similar symptoms and consequently are important differential diagnoses. Factors determining progression from infection to disease are not fully understood but younger age seems to be an important risk factor. Screening of siblings from affected individuals therefore may be warranted.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antiprotozoal Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Diseases in Twins; Endemic Diseases; Female; Fever; Humans; Infant; Italy; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic; Male; Pancytopenia; Splenomegaly; Travel

Primary cutaneous aspergillosis is a rare diagnosis. Predisposing factors are immunodeficiency and macerated skin. The mortality of infections with Aspergillus species is high, especially in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). We present a premature (24 wk of gestation) infant with primary cutaneous aspergillosis appearing on the sixth day of life. Predisposing factors in this patient were prematurity, extremely vulnerable skin, treatment with antibiotics and renovation in the radiology department nearby. The patient was treated with amphotericin B intravenously for a total of 40 d. He did not have, nor develop, disseminated aspergillosis, and suffered no side effects from the treatment. The only remaining trace of his infection was scarring in the affected area.. After having treated this patient successfully and having gone through the available literature, we conclude that treating primary cutaneous aspergillosis with intravenous amphotericin B prevents disseminated aspergillosis and is the treatment of choice.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Aspergillosis; Dermatomycoses; Diseases in Twins; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Male

Candida parapsilosis is an increasingly important bloodstream pathogen in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). We investigated a cluster of bloodstream infections in a NICU to determine whether nosocomial transmission occurred. During a 3-day period, 3 premature infants hospitalized in the same unit presented with sepsis caused by C. parapsilosis. Electrophoretic karyotype of the organisms was performed by using pulsed field gel electrophoresis in a countour-clamped homogeneous electric field system. The isolate from 1 newborn could not be typed, and the isolates from the remaining 2 infants had identical patterns. All 3 cases are described. We conclude that nosocomial transmission of C. parapsilosis occurred and that neonates under intensive care may represent a risk group for this pathogen.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Candida; Candidiasis; Cross Infection; Diseases in Twins; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; Fungemia; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Karyotyping; Risk Factors

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Arthritis, Infectious; Candida albicans; Candidiasis; Diseases in Twins; Hip Joint; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Knee Joint; Male; Osteomyelitis; Risk Factors