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Published on: July 11, 2016

Rhodotorula infection. A systematic review of 128 cases from literature

Felipe F Tuon1, Silvia F Costa

  • 1Department of Infections and Parasitic Diseases, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil. flptuon@gmail.com.br

Revista Iberoamericana De Micologia
|September 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Rhodotorula infections, often in immunocompromised patients, commonly present as fungemia linked to central venous catheters. Amphotericin is the primary treatment, but mortality remains significant.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Rhodotorula is an emerging opportunistic fungal pathogen.
  • It poses a significant risk to immunocompromised individuals.
  • Rhodotorula infections can manifest as fungemia, endocarditis, peritonitis, meningitis, and endophthalmitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review reported cases of Rhodotorula infection.
  • To identify associated risk factors, underlying conditions, and patient outcomes.
  • To analyze the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Rhodotorula infections.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of Rhodotorula infection cases.
  • Data extraction on patient demographics, clinical presentation, risk factors, and treatment.
  • Analysis of infection types, causative species, and mortality rates.

Main Results:

  • The study reviewed 128 cases; 79% were fungemia, 7% eye infections, and 5% peritonitis.
  • Eighty-seven percent of infections occurred in immunocompromised or cancer patients.
  • Central venous catheter use was the primary risk factor (83.4% of fungemia cases).
  • Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was the most common species (74% of fungemia).
  • Amphotericin was the preferred treatment; topical amphotericin was used for eye infections with complete vision loss.
  • Peritonitis cases required Tenckoff catheter removal.
  • Overall mortality was 12.6%.

Conclusions:

  • Rhodotorula infections are serious, particularly in immunocompromised hosts, with fungemia being the most common presentation.
  • Central venous catheters are a major risk factor, highlighting the need for preventative measures.
  • While Amphotericin remains a key treatment, outcomes can be severe, necessitating further research into management strategies.

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