Cerebral and renal abscess and retino-choroiditis secondary to Candida albicans in preterm infants: eight case retrospective study

To assess the tissues and organs commonly involved and the clinical features in the invasive fungal infection (IFI) of Candida albicans in the preterm infants. Eight preterm infants who developed IFI with positive blood culture for Candida albicans were retrospectively studied. All infants received selected clinical and laboratory parameters evaluation, such as blood culture, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biochemical test, routine urine test, urine culture, renal ultrasonography, renal computer tomography (CT), and fundus examination. The re-examinations were performed after one to two months follow-up. Cerebral abscesses were detected in six infants. Five cases developed renal systemic fungal infection, among which one had renal abscess. Three cases were complicated with fungal retino-choroiditis. Preterm infants, especially very-low-birthweight (VLBW) and extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants are susceptible to fungi. The majority of preterm late-onset fungal infections are due to Candida albicans. The organs commonly involved in the IFI of Candida albicans are central nervous system (CNS), kidney and fundus, among which renal systemic fungal infection are prone to recur, calling for a prolonged anti-fungi treatment course.