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Inappropriate treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus flavus in susceptible pediatric patients: a case series

Summary

This case series describes three children in Iran who developed serious lung infections caused by a fungal organism called Aspergillus flavus. Tragically, two of the three children died because their infections were diagnosed too late and they did not receive appropriate antifungal medications. The study emphasizes that children with weakened immune systems need quick diagnosis and proper antifungal treatment to survive these dangerous fungal infections.

Background

Pulmonary aspergillosis is a prevalent opportunistic fungal infection that can lead to mortality in pediatric patients with underlying immunosuppression. Aspergillus flavus is a major contributor to life-threatening invasive aspergillosis in the Middle East, primarily affecting immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes in pediatric cases.

Objective

To report three cases of inappropriate treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus flavus in pediatric patients and highlight the importance of timely diagnosis and appropriate antifungal treatment.

Results

All three cases were confirmed to have pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus flavus through molecular identification. Two of the three patients died due to delayed diagnosis and lack of appropriate antifungal treatment. The third patient left the hospital without receiving antifungal medication despite partial recovery.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis and accurate antifungal treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis are crucial for reducing mortality in pediatric patients. Antifungal prophylaxis appears to be essential for enhancing survival outcomes in immunocompromised children with suspected fungal infections.
  • Published in:Journal of Medical Case Reports,
  • Study Type:Case Series,
  • Source: PMID: 38951939, DOI: 10.1186/s13256-024-04599-9
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