Fungemia with Saccharomycetaceae: Report of four Cases and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Invasive fungal disease with Saccharomycetaceae is very rarely reported and these fungi are usually considered nonpathogenic. We report here 4 cases of positive blood cultures with fungal species belonging to this family. Severe neutropenia, permanent central venous catheter, ongoing antibacterial chemotherapy, and major abdominal surgery were identified as risk factors for fungemia in patients. In the immunocompromised host isolation of such species from sterile fluids cannot be ignored but should be considered an opportunistic infection and treated as such.