New findings and unique aspects in pediatric aspergillosis

Abstract

There is a paucity of specific data on pediatric invasive aspergillosis. While the underlying predisposing patient diseases and treatments differ in children and adults, it also appears that there is a heterogeneity of invasive aspergillosis disease that extends to children. These aspects extend in some reports to the Aspergillus spp. distribution as well as the fundamental pathophysiology of the disease in different age groups. For instance, the newer diagnostic tools hold great promise for adult patients but it appears that they have limited usefulness in children. Only through dedicated pediatric study will clinicians fully discover the nuances and unique findings in children with this deadly disease. © 2005 ISHAM.