When Fungal Prophylaxis Fails: A Rare Case of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Fungemia with Suspected Abdominal Origin
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: We report a rare case of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa fungemia with a suspected abdominal origin in a 73-year-old man with advanced haematological disease on fluconazole prophylaxis. The patient presented with febrile neutropenia caused by a jejunal microperforation. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, the fever persisted, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was isolated from blood cultures. High-dose liposomal amphotericin B achieved microbiological clearance and clinical improvement. The case was further complicated by coinfection with Aspergillus fumigatus and Klebsiella oxytoca. To our knowledge, this is one of the few reported cases of abdominal Rhodotorula fungemia, and the first described in the context of fluconazole prophylaxis. This report emphasises the importance of recognising Rhodotorula as a true pathogen and highlights the challenges of managing rare fungal infections in immunocompromised hosts.
Source: Journal of Fungi
DOI: 10.3390/jof11100723
Authors: Elia Asensi-Díaz, Laura Barbero del Olmo, Patricia Urrutia, Ana Lario, Elia Gómez-G. de la Pedrosa, Alejandro G. García-Ruiz de Morales, Pilar Martín-Dávila, Jesús Fortún
Institutions: Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Complejo Hospitalario Torrecárdenas, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad de Alcalá
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4414960552