Trichosporon asahii late onset sepsis in an extremely low birth weight infant

Abstract

We describe a case of Trichosporon asahii late-onset sepsis in an extremely low birth weight infant from our neonatal intensive care unit. The baby presented early neutropenia and received therapy with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. At day of life 8 he showed clinical signs of sepsis. Forty-eight hours after beginning of symptoms, blood culture developed T. asahii. Baby responded to treatment with liposomal amphotericin B. The aim of this report is to discuss a case of late onset sepsis in an immuno-compromised patient due to an unusual pathogen, with variable or intrinsic resistance to the most commonly used antifungal therapies. Appropriate use of antifungal in this vulnerable population is of pivotal importance for both treatment and prevention of infection.