Systemic Malassezia furfur infection in an adult receiving total parenteral nutrition

• Published in: Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (Online) Vol. 95; no. 6; p. 375
• Main Authors: Shparago, CPT Neal I., Bruno, LTC Philip P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Osteopathic Association 01.06.1995
• Subjects: Adult; Amphotericin B - therapeutic use; Catheterization, Central Venous - adverse effects; Female; Fungemia - drug therapy; Fungemia - etiology; Fungemia - microbiology; Humans; Hyperemesis Gravidarum - therapy; Malassezia; Parenteral Nutrition, Total - adverse effects; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - drug therapy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - etiology; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - microbiology; Pulmonary Embolism - microbiology
• ISSN: 0098-6151; 2702-3648; 2702-3648
• DOI: 10.7556/jaoa.1995.95.6.375

Malassezia furfur sepsis developed in a woman with hyperemesis gravidarum while she was receiving total parenteral nutrition supplemented with lipids. Fever, chills, dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and multiple bilateral pulmonary nodular infiltrates were the primary clinical manifestations. Lysis-centrifugation fungal blood cultures supplemented with olive oil grew M furfur. Treatment included removal of the central venous catheter line, discontinuation of the lipid emulsion, and antifungal chemotherapy. Malassezia furfur sepsis complicating total parenteral nutrition may be more common in adults than once suspected. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose this infection, and the addition of olive oil to the fungal culture medium will provide the necessary growth factors to isolate this fungus.