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.

DESIGN

Descriptive case report.

SETTING

Pediatric intensive care unit at a university teaching hospital.

PATIENT

A 3-yr-old female with persistent candidemia.

INTERVENTION

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

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

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

CONCLUSION

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.