We investigated the performance and the clinical impact of histologic examination of infected tissue in patients with suspected invasive fungal infection (IFI) at a tertiary pediatric center.
Unique episodes of IFI were identified from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2012. Surgical pathology reports, fungal culture results, and clinical data were abstracted from medical records.
Forty-seven patients with IFI were identified. Each patient had one episode of IFI. Risk factors included chemotherapy for an oncologic condition (n = 35), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n = 6), solid organ transplantation (n = 4), and primary immunodeficiency (n = 2). Tissue was obtained from deep subcutaneous tissue (n = 21), visceral organs (14 lungs, five livers, and one spleen), or the sinonasal cavity (n = 6). Fungal culture was ordered in 40 of the 47 episodes of IFI. Fungus grew in 27 (68%) of the 40 cultures submitted, and all isolates were concordant with histology. Medical records were available for 36 (77%) of 47 patients. Communication of histology results prompted changes in antifungal therapy 64% of the time. This included initiation of antifungal therapy in 13 patients who were not previously receiving therapy. Fifteen (42%) patients underwent surgical excision within 48 hours of histologic diagnosis.
Histology can provide rapid, accurate, and clinically actionable information to clinicians caring for children with IFI.