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Rhodotorula glutinis Fungemia: a Case Report and Literature Review
1Special Mycology Laboratory, Division of Infectious Diseases, EPM - Federal University of São Paulo.
Summary
A fatal Rhodotorula glutinis fungemia case occurred in a boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This marks the first reported instance of this fungal infection in Brazil.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Hematology
- Pediatric Oncology
Background:
- Fungal infections pose a significant risk to immunocompromised patients.
- Rhodotorula glutinis is an opportunistic yeast that can cause fungemia.
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, especially reinduction chemotherapy, severely compromises the immune system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare fatal case of Rhodotorula glutinis fungemia.
- To highlight the potential for this yeast to cause severe infections in pediatric leukemia patients.
- To document the first case of Rhodotorula glutinis fungemia in Brazil.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an 11-year-old boy with ALL.
- Description of clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome.
- Identification of the causative agent as Rhodotorula glutinis.
Main Results:
- The patient developed fatal Rhodotorula glutinis fungemia during third reinduction chemotherapy for ALL.
- This represents the first documented case of fungemia caused by this specific yeast species in Brazil.
Conclusions:
- Rhodotorula glutinis can cause life-threatening fungemia in immunocompromised pediatric patients.
- Vigilance for unusual fungal pathogens is crucial in managing leukemia patients.
- This case underscores the need for increased awareness of Rhodotorula infections in endemic regions.