CUNNINGHAMELLA INFECTIONS - REVIEW AND REPORT OF 2 CASES OF CUNNINGHAMELLA PNEUMONIA IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED CHILDREN

Infections caused by Cunninghamella bertholletiae are being identified with increasing frequency in immunocompromised patients. We have trea ted two children with cancer for pulmonary infections caused by this r are fungus. Cunninghamella infection is found in a variety of populati ons of patients, including both children and adults undergoing chemoth erapy. Clinical signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other forms of zygomycosis. Outcome is poor: only three of 17 patient s with such infection (including one of the two children described her ein) have survived. Treatment involves aggressive surgical excision an d administration of amphotericin B.