Central Nervous System Fungal Infections in Paediatric Patients

The objective of this paper is to review the main paediatric populations at risk for IFI-CNS and the most frequent agents involved, focusing in the clinical/radiological and diagnostic features, as well as the recommended treatment. With new and improved diagnostic techniques, reports on CNS fungal infections in paediatricpatients have increased not only in those with recently discovered congenital immune defects but in immunocompetent childrenas well. Information regarding clinical and imaging findings has expanded to shed light on previously ignored diagnoses. Apart from well-described and devastating IFI caused by Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp., other fungal agents are gaining importance not only in immunocompromised patients, but also in children with no identified risk factors, apart from environmental exposure.