Abstract:
Trichosporonosis is an emerging invasive opportunistic fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. We report 5 catheter related blood stream infections caused by Trichosporon species over a five-year period at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. All the patients were immunocompromised, had received broad-spectrum antibiotics and had a central venous catheter or arterial line inserted for a mean duration of 16.2 days (range 10-30 days). Four patients developed disseminated infection and only 2 survived, giving a mortality rate of 60%. Because of the prevalence of Trichosporon catheter related blood stream infections at our institute, health care providers should have a high index of suspicion for Trichosporon species infections in patients with risk factors and prolonged presence of a central venous catheter.
Reference:
Issarachaikul, R., Lertwannawit, O., Detporntewan, P., Uaprasert, N., Plongla, R., Shuangshoti, S., Chindamporn, A. and Suankratay, C. (2014) Catheter-related bloodstream infections caused by Trichosporon species. The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 45(2), p,421-9.