International Journal of Microbiology and Immunology Research Vol. 3(4), pp. 045-050, June 2015 ISSN 2327-7769 ©2015 Academe Research Journals

Case Report

Saprochaete capitata fungemia in patient with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma in Macedonia

Zaklina Cekovska¹*, G. Mircevska¹, A. Kaftandzieva¹, T. Sotirova² and N. Panovski¹

¹Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Medical Faculty, “Ss. Cyril and Methodius University”, Skopje, Macedonia.

²University Clinic of Haematology, Medical Faculty, “Ss. Cyril and Methodius University”, Skopje, Macedonia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: zcekovska@yahoo.com.

Accepted 2 March, 2015

Abstract

This is a case report of a fatal case of a patient with Geotrichum capitatum fungemia, who was suffering from T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. This is the first documented case of disseminated Saprochaete capitata reported from Macedonia. The identity of the isolate as S. capitata was confirmed using a Vitek-2 system (bioMérieux, France) with a probable value of 99%. The sensitivity to antifungal drugs was performed with E-test to fluconazole and amphotericin B. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of S. capitata were 1 mg/L and 1.5 mg/L to amphotericin B and fluconazole, respectively. Patient’s general condition was rapidly deteriorated, with widespread skin lesions, recurrence of conjunctival hyperemia, worsening dyspnea, appearance of polyserositis, and evolution towards cardio-respiratory insufficiency and death five days later. Patients with resistant fever and underlying haematological malignancy, fungal infection with S. capitata should be kept in mind, and early initiation of appropriate antifungal treatment must be overviewed.

Key words: Saprochaete capitata fungemia, T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, Bact/Alert system, Vitek-2 system.