Disseminated Trichosporon beigelii infection after orthotopic liver transplantation

A 25-year-old male, who received an orthotopic liver transplant for fulminant hepatic failure resulting from hepatitis B, had disseminated Trichosporon beigelii infection develop. Of the 55 cases of disseminated T. beigelii that have been reported in the English-language medical literature, most have occurred in patients who were both neutropenic and had compromised cell-mediated immunity. Mortality has ranged from 60 to 78%. Outcome appears to depend significantly on leukocyte recovery. Histologically, Trichosporon can be confused with Candida; however, recognition of the arthroconidia and pleomorphic hyphae and pseudohyphae of Trichosporon should allow their differentiation.