Open AccessFatal fungemia by biofilm-producing Trichosporon asahii in a liver transplant candidate
Author(s) -
Giusy Tiseo,
Roberta Fais,
Arianna Forniti,
Fabio Melandro,
Arianna Tavanti,
Emilia Ghelardi,
P De Simone,
Marco Falcone,
Antonella Lupetti
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
le infezioni in medicina
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.395
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2532-8689
pISSN - 1124-9390
DOI - 10.53854/liim-2903-18
Subject(s) - fungemia , anidulafungin , medicine , liver transplantation , trichosporon , echinocandins , antifungal , intensive care medicine , transplantation , fluconazole , biology , micafungin , caspofungin , dermatology , yeast , genetics
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is often associated with a dismal outcome. Infections might preclude access to liver transplantation (LT) for these patients, further reducing their chance of survival. We report the case of a patient with ACLF who died before LT for biofilm-producing Trichosporon asahii fungemia. The patient early started antifungal therapy with anidulafungin, but T. asahii was not susceptible to echinocandins, delaying the start of active antifungal therapy. Although rare, invasive infections by Trichosporon spp. are associated with high mortality rates due to low antimicrobial susceptibility and production of biofilms on indwelling devices. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to reduce mortality and enhance patient survival.