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COVID-19

Rare CNS Mould Infection in Children: COVID-19 Sequelae?

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, have reported a case of a 2-year-old child with a rare central nervous system (CNS) mould infection. The child, who had previously been infected with COVID-19, presented with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and was diagnosed with aspergillosis after histopathology and imaging. The child was successfully treated with voriconazole and experienced excellent clinical outcomes at a 22-month follow-up. This case highlights the potential for successful treatment of paediatric intracranial mould infections with early and aggressive antifungal therapy.

Key Takeaways:

  • A 2-year-old child with previous COVID-19 infection developed a rare CNS mould infection, likely aspergillosis, in the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle.
  • The child presented with raised intracranial pressure and was diagnosed through CT/MRI imaging and histopathology.
  • The child was treated with voriconazole and had excellent clinical outcomes at 22 months post-treatment.
  • This case highlights the importance of considering mould infections in the differential diagnosis of children with CNS symptoms, particularly in regions with a high prevalence of COVID-19.
  • The study demonstrates the effectiveness of early and aggressive antifungal therapy in treating paediatric intracranial mould infections.
  • The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research reports that treatment data are limited in the pediatric age group, especially in young children.

Statistics:

  • 2-year-old male child was the subject of the study.
  • The child had no other apparent immune dysfunction.
  • The child was diagnosed with aspergillosis through histopathology and imaging.
  • The child was treated with voriconazole for an extended period.
  • The child experienced excellent clinical outcomes at a 22-month follow-up.

Sources:

  • [1] Intraventricular mould infection suggestive of Aspergillosis in a 2-year-old child with successful clinical outcomes. Journal De Mycologie Medicale, 2025;35(3):101569.
  • [2] NewsRx. Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Intraventricular mould infection suggestive of Aspergillosis in a 2-year-old child with successful clinical outcomes). Pediatrics Week. August 2, 2025; p 6.
  • [3] Journal De Mycologie Medicale. Masson Editeur, 21 Street Camille Desmoulins, Issy, 92789 Moulineaux Cedex 9, France.

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