Voriconazole and caspofungin combination therapy for invasive fungal infection in children with cancer
Voriconazole and caspofungin combination therapy for invasive fungal infection in children with cancer
Abstract
Introduction Aspergillus species have emerged as an important cause of life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. Despite timely diagnosis and appropriate antifungal therapy, clinical outcome might be disappointing, necessitating treatment with a combination of antifungal agent. Method and material Between April, 2009 and May, 2013, 30 patients were treated with voriconazole and caspofungin combination therapy for invasive fungal infection (IFI) at pediatric department of Yeungnam university hospital. Medical records of 30 patients were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. Result In 30 patients, probable IFIs were 13 (43.3%), and possible IFIs were 17 (56.7%). Twenty-seven (90%) were on conventional antifungal therapy due to neutropenic fever. After diagnosis with IFIs, antifungal therapy was switched to the combination therapy. Three patients, without prior antifungal therapy were started on antifungal therapy after diagnosis with IFIs. The survival rate at 6 months was 86.7%. Treatment failures were seen in 4 patients (13.3%). Significant hepatic enzyme elevation was seen in one patient. Conclusion Voriconazole and caspofungin combination therapy for invasive fungal infection in children with cancer appeares to be effective treatment for serious invasive fungal infections.