Clinical characteristics and prognosis of chronic disseminated candidiasis in children with acute leukemia following chemotherapy: a multicenter clinical study

Xin-Hong JIANG, Pei-Jun LIU, Chun-Ping WU, Kai-Zhi WENG, Shu-Quan ZHUANG, Shu-Xian HUANG, Xiao-Fang WANG, Yong-Zhi ZHENG

Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ›› 2025, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (5) : 540-547.

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Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ›› 2025, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (5) : 540-547. DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2409002
CLINICAL RESEARCH

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of chronic disseminated candidiasis in children with acute leukemia following chemotherapy: a multicenter clinical study

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) in children with acute leukemia (AL) following chemotherapy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on children diagnosed with CDC (including confirmed, clinically diagnosed, and suspected cases) after AL chemotherapy from January 2015 to December 2023 at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital, and Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University. Clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. Results The incidence of CDC in children with AL following chemotherapy was 1.92% (32/1 668). Among the children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the incidence of CDC in the high-risk group was significantly higher than in the low-risk group (P=0.002). All patients presented with fever unresponsive to antibiotics during the neutropenic period, with 81% (26/32) involving the liver. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly elevated (≥50 mg/L) in 97% (31/32) of the patients. The efficacy of combined therapy with liposomal amphotericin B and caspofungin or posaconazole for CDC was 66% (19/29), higher than with caspofungin (9%, 2/22) or liposomal amphotericin B (18%, 2/11) monotherapy. The overall cure rate was 72% (23/32). The proportion of patients with CRP ≥50 mg/L and/or a positive β-D-glucan test for more than 2 weeks and breakthrough infections during caspofungin treatment was significantly higher in the treatment failure group compared to the successful treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusions CDC in children with AL after chemotherapy may be associated with prolonged neutropenia due to intensive chemotherapy. Combination antifungal regimens based on liposomal amphotericin B have a higher cure rate, while persistently high CRP levels and positive β-D-glucan tests may indicate poor prognosis.

Key words

Invasive fungal disease / Chronic disseminated candidiasis / Acute leukemia / Antifungal therapy / Prognosis / Child

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Xin-Hong JIANG , Pei-Jun LIU , Chun-Ping WU , et al . Clinical characteristics and prognosis of chronic disseminated candidiasis in children with acute leukemia following chemotherapy: a multicenter clinical study[J]. Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. 2025, 27(5): 540-547 https://doi.org/10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2409002

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江信宏负责研究设计、文章撰写、论文修改;刘佩君负责病例资料收集、数据统计分析和部分经费支持;吴椿萍、翁开枝、庄树铨、黄淑贤、王晓芳负责病例资料收集和数据整理;郑湧智负责研究设计、数据统计分析、论文修改。

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