Candida albicans Meningitis in a Premature Neonate Successfully Treated With 5-Fluorocytosine and Amphotericin B: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

C. albicans meningitis was diagnosed in a 45-day-old premature infant whose birth weight was 1616 g. Symptoms consisted of poor weight gain and poor sucking. The combined use of amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) resulted in negative CSF cultures after 12 days of therapy. Amphotericin B was given for 45 days (total 83 mg) and 5-FC for 60 days (total 19 mg). Only 1 other premature infant who had similar treatment was reported in the literature. A review of Candida meningitis diagnosed before death in 11 other infants less than 1 yr of age is presented.