galactomannan and Central-Nervous-System-Diseases

Invasive mold disease (IMD) of the central nervous system (CNS) is a severe infectious complication in immunocompromised patients, but early microbiological diagnosis is difficult. As data on the value of biomarkers in the CNS are scarce, in particular in children, we retrospectively analyzed the performance of galactomannan (GM) and PCR assays in CNS samples of 15 children with proven and probable CNS IMD and of 32 immunocompromised children without fungal infection. Galactomannan in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was assessed in nine of the 15 pediatric patients and was positive in five of them. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in eight of the 15 patients and detected nucleic acids from molds in six patients. Galactomannan and PCR in CNS samples were the only positive microbiologic parameter in the CNS in three and two patients, respectively. In four patients, PCR specified the pathogen detected in microscopy. Galactomannan and PCR results remained negative in the CSF of all immunocompromised children without evidence for CNS IMD. Our data suggest that GM and PCR in CNS specimens are valuable additional tools in diagnosing CNS IMD and should be included in the work up of all pediatric patients with suspected mold disease of the CNS.

Topics: Adolescent; Central Nervous System Diseases; Child; Child, Preschool; DNA, Fungal; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Galactose; Hematologic Neoplasms; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Invasive Fungal Infections; Male; Mannans; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies

Central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis with stroke has a high mortality and poor prognosis generally. We report a 78-years-old woman with diabetes mellitus, who developed invasive paranasal sinus aspergillosis with the orbital apex syndrome on the right side and cerebral infarction caused by intracranial occlusion of the right internal carotid artery. Based on the presence of a mass lesion in the ethmoid sinus extending to the orbital apex on the right side with cranial CT, the mass lesion was surgically removed and the pathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed aspergillus mold. Immediately after surgery, we initiated treatment with voriconazole 200 mg × 2/day intravenously for 38 days, and then via feeding tube for 86 days until the galactomannan-aspergillus antigen level in the cerebrospinal fluid became negative at 132 days. She is alive now for almost two years without relapse of aspergillosis. There is no definitive guideline for management of patients with CNS aspergillosis concerning the length of drug treatment and the method for monitoring the response for treatment. We believe that measurement of the galactomannan-aspergillus antigen level in the cerebrospinal fluid might be a useful way of monitoring the efficacy of treatment for CNS aspergillosis.

Topics: Aged; Antifungal Agents; Antigens, Fungal; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Aspergillosis; Biomarkers; Carotid Artery, Internal; Central Nervous System Diseases; Diabetes Complications; Diagnostic Imaging; Female; Galactose; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Mannans; Paranasal Sinus Diseases; Stroke; Survival; Time Factors; Voriconazole