Pseudozymaspp catheter-associated blood stream infection, an emerging pathogen and brief literature review

Abstract

Pseudozyma spp are amorphic yeasts. They are commonly plant pathogens, but rarely cause invasive fungal disease in humans. Only three cases of central venous catheter (CVC)-associated blood stream infections due to this organism have been reported in the literature. Main underlying risk factors for Pseudozyma spp infection are bowel surgery, CVC and total parenteral nutrition. We present a rare case of Pseudozyma spp catheter-associated blood stream infection that was successfully treated with antifungal therapy and removal of CVC. It is important to recognise and differentiate this species from other yeasts as it may require the use of amphotericin B or voriconazole instead of fluconazole, to which the organism is variably resistant.

Pseudozyma aphidis fungaemia with invasive fungal pneumonia in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia: case report and literature review

“…We retrospectively reviewed the global literature to identify the possible risk factors, clinical presentation, and optimal treatment strategies for Pseudozyma infection; in addition to the present case, 14 case reports were found (Table 1). 3,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Since 2014 when previous literature review was reported by Prakash et al [8], there were seven additional cases including our case. Therefore, we present a updated literature review with some modifications and adding recent cases.…”

“…seemed to have susceptibility to amphotericin B only. 13 In all reported cases, Pseudozyma spp. were resistant to echinocandins and flucytosine.…”

“…We retrospectively reviewed the global literature to identify the possible risk factors, clinical presentation, and optimal treatment strategies for Pseudozyma infection; in addition to the present case, 14 case reports were found (Table ) . Since 2014 when previous literature review was reported by Prakash et al .…”

“…from Thailand. Of the nine cases with reported underlying medical conditions, three had gastrointestinal (GI) tract problems such as short bowel syndrome or intestinal surgery, 4,9,13 and three had neutropenia 7,14,15 which can damage the gut mucosa. Of the seven patients for whom the presence or absence of a central venous catheter (CVC) was reported, six patients had a CVC.…”

Cross-Reacting Ustilago maydis Causing False-Positive Cryptococcal Antigen Test Results

“…The plant pathogen Ustilago (the agent of corn smut) and the closely related genus Pseudozyma are ubiquitous in the environment and are commonly regarded as laboratory contaminants. However, these organisms can be transmitted by the airborne route and have occasionally caused fungemia and central venous catheter infections in humans (5,7,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”