[Fungemia caused by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa in relation to total parenteral nutrition].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Fungal infections are nowadays more common in clinical practice. The most frequently isolated fungi are Candida and Cryptococcus. Infection due to Rhodotorula mucilaginosa is very uncommon. We describe here our experience with R. mucilaginosa fungemia, with emphasis on total parenteral nutrition related episodes.

METHOD:

A retrospective review identified 3 patients with R. mucilaginosa, and predisposing conditions, clinical features, treatment used and outcome were analyzed. The case definition includes the repeated isolation of R. mucilaginosa in several blood-cultures and/or the isolation of R. mucilaginosa in one single blood culture together with its isolation in any other site.

RESULTS:

Three patients were identified. In all of them there are some defects in immune response (skin anergy in two, immunosuppressive therapy in the remaining patient), had an iv line placed, under antibiotic therapy and total parenteral nutrition. All factors could have been related to the development of R. mucilaginosa infection.

CONCLUSION:

Although its pathogenic role is controversial, in two or our patients R. mucilaginosa infections correlates well with clinical signs and symptoms of invasive infections (fever, hemodynamic changes). The treatment is still not clear.

• Authors: M E Jiménez-Mejías, C Ortiz Leyba, F J Jiménez Gonzalo, M del Nozal, T Campos, F J Jiménez Jiménez
• Journal: Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin) Vol. 10 Issue 9 Pg. 543-6 (Nov 1992) ISSN: 0213-005X [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Funguemia por Rhodotorula mucilaginosa en relación con nutrición parenteral total.
• PMID: 1489796 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antifungal Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Antifungal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Catheterization, Central Venous (adverse effects)
• Cross Infection (drug therapy, epidemiology, etiology, microbiology)
• Equipment Contamination
• Female
• Fungemia (drug therapy, epidemiology, etiology, microbiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Parenteral Nutrition, Total (instrumentation)
• Postoperative Complications (microbiology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Rhodotorula (classification, isolation & purification, pathogenicity)