Caspofungin in a pediatric patient with persistent candidemia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the response of a child with persistent fungemia to caspofungin, a member of the echinocandin class of antifungals.


METHODS
Descriptive case report.


METHODS
Pediatric intensive care unit at a university teaching hospital.


METHODS
A 3-yr-old female with persistent candidemia.


METHODS
After >5 wks of persistent candidemia, caspofungin was added to an antifungal regimen that included amphotericin B and flucytosine.


RESULTS
The addition of caspofungin resulted in rapid clearance of the candidemia. The child recovered without evidence of further fungal infection or overt toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Caspofungin was administered safely in this pediatric patient and possibly contributed to her clinical improvement. Caspofungin may be considered in children with severe persistent fungal infections that are not responsive to standard therapy. More study in pediatric patients is necessary before recommending its general use.
Wertz
Karin K
KK
Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Pretzlaff
Robert K
RK
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077336:Caspofungin; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D054714:Echinocandins; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005437:Flucytosine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016469:Fungemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D055666:Lipopeptides; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D055666:Lipopeptides; D010455:Peptides; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D000666:Amphotericin B; D005437:Flucytosine; D000077336:Caspofungin