The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the incidence of viral respiratory infection in hospitalized premature newborn infants and to assess the role of coronaviruses. All hospitalized premature infants with a gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks were included. Tracheal or nasopharyngal specimens were studied by immunofluorescence for coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, influenza and parainfluenza viruses. Forty premature infants were included; 13 samples were positive in 10 newborns (coronaviruses n = 10; influenza 1 n = 2; adenovirus n = 1). None was positive at admission. All premature infants infected with coronaviruses had symptoms of bradycardia, apnea, hypoxemia, fever or abdominal distension. Chest X-ray revealed diffuse infiltrates in two cases. However, no significant difference was observed between infected and non-infected premature infants for gestational age, birth weight, duration of ventilation, age at discharge, incidence of apnea or bradycardia. Nosocomial respiratory tract infection with coronaviruses appears to be frequent. The clinical consequences should be evaluated in a larger population.

Presented here are two cases of systemic Candida glabrata infection diagnosed in two expectant mothers and their fetuses at 34 and 22 weeks' gestation. The underlying risk factors in case 1 were in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, recurrent yeast vaginitis and two intravenous injections of betamethasone. The risk factors in case 2 were in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, recurrent yeast vaginitis, antibiotics for treatment of a urinary tract infection due to Morganella morganii and amniocentesis. In both cases, vaginal fluid yielded growth of a yeast that was not identified. Candida glabrata was isolated from samples obtained from the mothers and their babies. Since Candida glabrata lacks hyphae, membranitis and infection of the fetuses were demonstrated only on slides stained with Gomori Grocott and periodic acid-Schiff. Both cases suggest that for such pregnancies the follow-up of vaginal fluid should include the identification of any yeasts grown on selective Candida medium. In case of premature rupture of membranes, systematic sampling of mothers and their infants or fetuses should be associated with microscopic study of placentas, membranes and stillborn fetuses with Gomori Grocott and periodic acid-Schiff staining techniques.

The incidence of Malassezia furfur-related colonization of central venous catheters appears to be low but not negligible, which warrants the use of specific culture techniques.

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