With the increasing number of people with immune deficiency in recent years, fungal infections become an important factor threatening human health.Likewise, the number of children who are immunosuppressed due to hematological diseases, malignancies, use of immunosuppressants and spectrum antibacterial drugs has increased, leading to a high mortality of fungal infections.Moreover, infections of the non-candida albicans and aspergillu are prevalent, serving as important causes for the death of critically ill children. Therefore, this review aims to introduce and summarize the epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric invasive fungal infections, thus yielding the concern of pediatric invasive fungal infections, reducing the occurrence of pediatric fungal infections and improving the prognosis.

Fungal infections are a growing public health threat, especially as the at-risk population for invasive fungal disease expanding and antifungal resistance emerging.In 2022, the World Health Organization released the first fungal priority pathogens list, aiming to encourage countries to strengthen the response to fungal infections.As one of the first countries to issue and implement the National Action Plan to Contain Antimicrobial Resistance in the world, China has attached great importance to the management of fungal infections.A series of actions and efforts have been made, including improving the legal and regulatory system related to the prevention and treatment of fungal infections, strengthening the management of clinical application of antifungal drugs, improving the diagnosis and treatment ability of fungal infections and the standardization of diagnosis and treatment, establishing a monitoring and evaluation system for fungal infections and drug resistance.Initial results have been achieved.In the future, under the guidance of the new national action plan to contain antimicrobial resistance, the level of diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections will be further improved to reduce the occurrence of fungal infections and the spread of antifungal resistance.

The morbidity of fungal infections increased year by year.Notably, the invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) in children lead to a high mortality.It is important to make the diagnosis of IFDs in early stage, thus reducing the mortality.The diagnosis of fungal infection is based on three factors, including host factors, clinical evidences (such as imaging findings) and the evidence of fungal etiology.This review described the progress in the diagnosis of IFDs in children, thus improving the ability of physicians to diagnose the fungal infection.

Fungal infections gradually attract global public health attention. Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus are the most common pathogens of fungal infections.With the widespread use of antifungal drugs, fungal resistance is gradually increasing.Clarifying the current status of antifungal drug resistance and the mechanism is helpful for rational treatment of fungal infections.

Invasive fungal infections play an important factor threatening human health.In recent years, the number of the susceptible population of invasive fungal infections has increased rapidly, leading to a significant increase in the disease burden of human fungi.In 2022, the World Health Organization released a list of key fungal pathogens, aiming to promote global research and investment in fungal infection and antifungal resistance.At present, antifungal drugs are preferred for anti-fungal infection treatment, although the efficacy is limited by the adverse events and drug resistance.Improving the damaged host immune response is a reasonable way to improve the effectiveness of antifungal drugs.This article briefly described the epidemiology of fungal infections, summarized how hosts mediate the clearance of fungi by initiating innate and adaptive immune responses, and discussed the prospects and clinical evidence supporting immunomodulatory therapy for invasive fungal infections.

Fungus is one of common allergens in allergic disease that affects the susceptibility, severity, and disease control of allergic airway disease in children.A spectrum of respiratory diseases associated with fungal sensitization has been described as allergic fungal airway disease (AFAD), including severe asthma with fungal sensitization, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, thunderstorm asthma, and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis.Glucocorticoids, biologics, antifungal therapy, and immunotherapy can reduce the airway inflammation, fungal burden, and tissue damage associated with AFAD.This review introduced fungus, the mechanism of fungal sensitization and the detection, as well as the scope and treatment of AFAD in children, aiming to improve the understanding of AFAD among pediatricians.

Fungal infections of the digestive tract in children can be caused by a variety of fungi, the most common of which are Candida and Aspergillus.Occurrence of invasive fungal infections is dependent on numerous factors including geographic location and routes of exposure, and host factors, such as predisposing conditions, high-risk medications, or underlying medical comorbidities that modulate overall immune function.However, advances in DNA and ribosomal RNA sequencing and serologic testing have led to shifts in how gut fungal microbiota are identified and in diagnosing opportunistic infections.This article will briefly expound the common pathogens, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal fungal infections in children.

Superficial cutaneous fungal infections are caused by fungi infections that only invade fully keratinized tissues, such as the stratum corneum, hair, and nails.In clinical practice, tinea capitis is the most prevalent superficial cutaneous fungal infections in children, whereas the incidence of tinea corporis/cruris, tinea manuum/pedis, onychomycosis, and pityriasis versicolor is relatively low.This article aims to comprehensively discuss the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and advancements in the treatment of superficial cutaneous fungal infections in children, focusing on each specific infection individually.

The incidence of pediatric otomycosis is gradually increasing, with a widespread prevalence of multidrug-resistant Candida auris.However, its early diagnosis remains challenging, leading to misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of pediatric otomycosis based on relevant domestic and international studies.This article reviewed the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, pathogenic microorganisms, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric otomycosis, aiming to enhance the understanding of pediatric otomycosis among healthcare professionals.

Objective:To explore the immunological characteristics of peripheral blood and genetic variations of 11 immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-negative children with Talaromyces marneffei(TM) infection, thus enhancing the diagnostic and therapeutic levels of TM infection in children. Methods:Clinical data of 11 HIV-negative children with TM infection who presented to Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University from January 2010 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical characteristics, peripheral immune profile and genetic test results.Results:A total of 11 HIV-negative children with TM infections were recruited, involving 9 males and 2 females with a median age of 19 months.The main clinical manifestations were fever (10/11, 90.91%), cough (10/11, 90.91%) and hepatomegaly (7/11, 63.64%). Common severe complications included acute respiratory distress syndrome (7/11, 63.64%) and septic shock (5/11, 45.45%). Finally, 2 children died.Transient neutropenia occurred in 6 cases (6/11, 54.55%), and lymphocytopenia combined with serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G decrease was observed in 4 cases (4/11, 36.36%). IgA decrease, IgM decrease, IgE decrease, IgM increase and IgE increase were observed in 6 cases, 3 cases, 5 cases, 3 cases, and 2 cases, respectively.Both T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte counts decreases was observed in 1 case.Genetic testing was performed in all recruited children, and genetic variations were detected in all of them.Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) were diagnosed in 8 cases, including 4 diagnosed as CD 40 ligand deficiency with CD40LG variation, 1 of severe combined immunodeficiency with IL2RG variation, 1 of Signal transduction and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)-hyper-IgE syndrome with STAT3 variation and 1 of familial candidiasis type 2 with CARD9 compound heterozygous mutations.In the other 3 cases, 2 carried genetic variations that were likely pathogenic, and 1 case was considered uncertain. Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of HIV-negative children with TM infection are atypical, which is characterized as serious complications and high mortality.Early identification and gene testing to detect potential IEIs can improve the prognosis of TM infection.