Rhodotorula dairenensis fungemia in a patient with cancer

Rhodotorula species were traditionally considered non-virulent environmental microorganisms, but are nowadays considered important human pathogens, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

We present the case of a 73 year-old man with diarrhea, anorexia and fever. In the blood analyses, both aerobic blood culture bottles yielded the growth of Rhodotorula dairenensis. The MALDI-TOF MS score was inadequate to provide an identification, which was achieved by means of molecular techniques. Treatment with an echinocandin was started, but the patient died.

Basidiomycetous yeast genera such as Rhodotorula can cause invasive and severe infections, e.g., fungemia, especially in patients with central venous catheter or another indwelling device.