Oropharyngeal candidiasis in children with lymphohematopoietic malignancies in Mashhad, Iran

Background and Purpose: Over the past years, the role of fungi as a cause of nosocomial infections in hospitalized patients has been accentuated. Candida species constitute an important group of fungi causing diseases in immunocompromised patients. Oropharyngeal candidiasis continues to be a prevalent infection in immunodeficient patients. In this study, we aimed to determine the incidence of oropharyngeal candidiasis in children with lymphohematopoietic malignancies. Materials and Methods: In total, ۱۰۲ patients with lymphohematopoietic malignancies and ۵۰ healthy controls were examined in terms of Candida infections via direct sampling of the oropharyngeal cavity. Fresh smears were prepared with ۱۰% potassium hydroxide and Gram staining was carried out. Subsequently, the obtained specimens were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar for further analysis. Results: The most common Candida species were Candida albicans (۳۱%), other non-C. albicans species (۱۴.۷%), C. glabrata (۶.۸%), and C. krusei (۰.۹۸%) in the case group, while in the control group, other non-C. albicans species (۱۰%) and C. albicans (۸%) were the most common species. Conclusion: In the present study, Candida species were the most common fungal pathogens in pediatric cancer patients; therefore, efforts should be made to prevent fungemia and fungal pneumonia. Also, non-C. albicans species must be considered as a new risk factor for pediatric cancer patients.

Keywords:

Candida species , Lymphohematopoietic malignancies , Oral candidiasis