[Congenital cutaneous candidiasis: a case report and review]. / La candidose cutanée congenitale: a propos d'une observation et revue de la littérature.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this article is to report a case of congenital cutaneous candidiasis (CCC). We describe the clinical features and emphasize the role of laboratory testings to assess diagnosis in the newborn and to prevent this condition by screening vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women. A full-term, 3500-g male was born by spontaneous vaginal delivery to a 30-year-old healthy woman. On physical examination, he was a well-developed, vigorous newborn. Since the first hours of his life he presented erythematous maculae diffusely distributed on the skin and pustules overlying areas of confluent macular erythema on his trunk and extremities. The palms and soles were not affected. Neither oral thrush nor peri-anal lesions have been observed. The rest of the physical examination was normal. Microscopic examination of skin scrapings showed the presence of many yeasts and the culture permitted the identification of a strain of Candida albicans. Precocity and extent of the cutaneous signs attest a congenital cutaneous candidiasis and eliminate the other skin diseases of similar clinical symptoms. Topical antifungal therapy (econazole) was given and the cutaneous lesions disappeared after 20 days. CCC appears to be acquired in utero by the ascension of organisms from an infected vagina into the uterine cavity. This condition is preventable with systematic screening and treatment of vulvo-vaginitis due to Candida albicans in pregnant women, The important role played by the laboratory of mycology remains essential.