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Sternal wound infection by Trichosporon inkin following cardiac surgery

Frances Davies1, Sarah Logan, Elizabeth Johnson

  • 1Department of Infection, 5th Floor North Wing, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, SE1 7EH. Frances.Davies@gstt.nhs.uk

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|July 11, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Fungal sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery are rare. This case highlights a fatal Trichosporon inkin infection in an immunocompetent patient following aortic root surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Surgery

Background:

  • Post-cardiac surgery wound infections are common, but fungal etiologies are infrequent.
  • Cardiac surgical site infections (CSIs) typically involve bacterial pathogens.

Observation:

  • A rare case of sternal wound infection occurred in an immunocompetent patient post-aortic root surgery.
  • The causative agent was identified as Trichosporon inkin, a yeast not commonly associated with surgical site infections.

Findings:

  • Trichosporon inkin can cause severe sternal wound infections following cardiac surgery.
  • Despite the patient being immunocompetent, the infection led to a fatal outcome.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering rare fungal pathogens in refractory or unusual surgical site infections.
  • Clinicians should be aware of Trichosporon species as potential causes of serious infections, even in immunocompetent individuals.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the pathogenesis and optimal management of Trichosporon surgical site infections.

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