Late onset Candida krusei septicaemia in a neonate which responded to fluconazole monotherapy: A case report

Abstract

Systemic candida infections in the neonatal population are commonly seen especially in low birth weight, preterm neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Albicans spp is the most commonly isolated but in more recent times, fluconazole resistant spp such as Candida krusei have been reported to cause healthcare associated infections.
This is a case of a 12-day old, term, low birth weight (2.45 kg), male neonate delivered to a 32-year-old P2 +0 (2A) through elective caesarian section (CS) at term. He was well till the 12th day of life when he developed respiratory distress and sub-optimal oxygen saturation requiring supplemental oxygen. Chest x-ray showed prominent vascular markings with no active focal lung lesion and he was managed for suspected Aspiration Pneumonitis until a blood culture on the 10th day of admission yielded Candida krusei. He had a monotherapy of intravenous fluconazole, made progressive clinical improvement and was discharged on oral fluconazole to complete a 6 weeks course on outpatient basis.