Breakthrough Saprochaete capitata infections in patients receiving echinocandins: case report and review of the literature

Med Mycol. 2011 May;49(4):414-8. doi: 10.3109/13693786.2010.535179. Epub 2010 Nov 25.

Abstract

We report a rare case of a fatal Saprochaete capitata breakthrough infection in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia receiving empirical caspofungin therapy. S. capitata is an uncommon, yet emerging cause of invasive infections, especially in patients with haematological malignancies. Blood cultures from our patient yielded S. capitata which was found to be resistant, in vitro, to caspofungin. We consecutively reviewed all published cases of breakthrough infections caused by S. capitata in patients receiving echinocandins. S. capitata should be considered in those patients who remain febrile or who develop invasive mould infections while under echinocandin therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Caspofungin
  • Child
  • Echinocandins / therapeutic use*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Geotrichosis / complications
  • Geotrichosis / drug therapy*
  • Geotrichum / isolation & purification*
  • Geotrichum / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / microbiology*
  • Lipopeptides
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use
  • Voriconazole

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Echinocandins
  • Lipopeptides
  • Pyrimidines
  • Triazoles
  • Caspofungin
  • Voriconazole