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Neonatal Candida meningitis: significance of cerebrospinal fluid parameters and blood cultures

Journal of Perinatology volume 27, pages 97–100 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters in Candida meningitis and the proportion of candidemia associated with Candida meningitis.

Study design:

We evaluated the initial lumbar puncture results from infants discharged from 150 Neonatal Intensive Care Units between 1997 and 2004. Candida meningitis was diagnosed by a positive CSF culture or positive Gram stain for yeast. We calculated two-tailed P-values using non-parametric testing, Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis or Fisher's exact tests where appropriate.

Results:

Twenty infants had culture-positive Candida meningitis. Normal CSF parameters were found in 43% (3/7) of the infants with Candida meningitis and only 37% (7/19) of them had positive blood cultures for Candida.

Conclusion:

Normal CSF parameters do not exclude the diagnosis of neonatal Candida meningitis. The majority of infants in this cohort with Candida meningitis did not have evidence of candidemia at the time of diagnosis.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a research agreement between Pediatrix Inc. and Duke University Medical Center. Dr Smith received support from NIH T32 AI 052080 and Dr Benjamin received support from HD044799-01 and the Thrasher Research Fund. We thank Daniel K Benjamin PhD, Department of Economics, Clemson University for statistical support for this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    M Cohen-Wolkowiez, P B Smith, W J Steinbach, C M Cotten & D K Benjamin Jr

  2. Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    P B Smith, B Mangum & D K Benjamin Jr

  3. Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    B D Alexander

  4. Pediatrix-Obstetrix Center for Research and Education, Sunrise, FL, USA

    R H Clark

  5. Immunocompromised Host Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

    T J Walsh

Authors
  1. M Cohen-Wolkowiez
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  2. P B Smith
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  3. B Mangum
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  4. W J Steinbach
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  5. B D Alexander
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  6. C M Cotten
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  7. R H Clark
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  8. T J Walsh
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  9. D K Benjamin Jr
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Correspondence to D K Benjamin Jr.

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Cohen-Wolkowiez, M., Smith, P., Mangum, B. et al. Neonatal Candida meningitis: significance of cerebrospinal fluid parameters and blood cultures. J Perinatol 27, 97–100 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211628

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211628

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