Last update:

   03-Aug-2015
 

Arch Hellen Med, 32(4), July-August 2015, 505-507

CASE REPORT

Infection by Rhodotorula in a patient with multiple myeloma and extramedullary plasmacytoma

M. Demetriou, V. Papaemmanouil
Department of Microbiology, "Metaxa" Anticancer Hospital, Pireus, Greece

Rhodotorula spp is a non-infectious fungus which is found in abundance in the environment but may become an opportunistic pathogen in patients with immunodeficiency. Patients with hematological malignancies are particularly vulnerable to various kinds of fungal infections. Because of the common prevalence of this fungus in the environment it constitutes a notable threat. This is the report of the rare case of a 68 year-old man with a history of multiple myeloma (stage III) and extramedullary plasmacytoma who developed an influenza virus (H1N1) lower respiratory infection and a urinary tract infection caused by Rhodotorula during his last hospitalization. The isolate was identified by the Vitek2 Combact system of Biomerieux as R. rubra.

Key words: Immune deficiency, Infection, Multiple myeloma, Rhodotorula.


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