Epidemiology ofRhodotorula: An Emerging Pathogen

Abstract

This is an updated paper focusing on the general epidemiological aspects of Rhodotorula in humans, animals, and the environment. Previously considered nonpathogenic, Rhodotorula species have emerged as opportunistic pathogens that have the ability to colonise and infect susceptible patients. Rhodotorula species are ubiquitous saprophytic yeasts that can be recovered from many environmental sources. Several authors describe the isolation of this fungus from different ecosystems, including sites with unfavourable conditions. Compared to R. mucilaginosa, R. glutinis and R. minuta are less frequently isolated from natural environments. Among the few references to the pathogenicity of Rhodotorula spp. in animals, there are several reports of an outbreak of skin infections in chickens and sea animals and lung infections and otitis in sheep and cattle. Most of the cases of infection due to Rhodotorula in humans were fungemia associated with central venous catheter (CVC) use. The most common underlying diseases included solid and haematologic malignancies in patients who were receiving corticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs, the presence of CVC, and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Unlike fungemia, some of the other localised infections caused by Rhodotorula, including meningeal, skin, ocular, peritoneal, and prosthetic joint infections, are not necessarily linked to the use of CVCs or immunosuppression.

Volatile compounds and microbial development in sonicated cloudy apple juices: preliminary results

“…The strains tested for the spoilage inoculum had been previously isolated and characterized during preliminary experiments as the dominant yeast species that were resistant to weaker sonication treatments (300 s/100 mL and amplitude of 100%; in apple juice (Montemurro et al, 2014)). Moreover, R. glutinis (Wirth & Goldani, 2012) and C. parapsilosis (Selvarangan, Bui, Limaye, & Cookson, 2003;Tavanti et al, 2010) are classified as pathogens for susceptible patients. The results should help in understanding the physiology of the resistance of these yeasts to novel preservation technologies.…”

An unusual case of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa fungaemia in a cancer patient

“…Rhodotorula species have several morphologic and physiologic similarities with Cryptococcus species, but differ from them by the typical carotenoid pigment (ranging from yellowish to red) (6) and by the inability to assimilate inositol (9).…”

“…Indeed, Rhodotorula spp. have been implicated as a cause of meningitis, endocarditis, ventriculitis, peritonitis, fungaemia, central venous catheter infection and keratitis (9).…”

“…The genus includes eight species, among which R. mucilaginosa (old name R. rubra), R. glutinis and R. minuta are known to cause disease in humans (9). In this regard, in the last two decades these yeasts have emerged as opportunistic pathogens mostly in immunocompromised patients (3).…”

Probable fungemia por Rhodotorula mucilaginosa asociada a catéter venoso central en un paciente pediátrico. Presentación de un caso.

“…En la mayoría de los casos el cuadro clínico suele ser inespecífico y se asocia a la presencia de un catéter venoso central (CVC) en pacientes portadores de neoplasias malignas só-lidas o hematológicas sometidos a quimioterapia citotóxica 4 y/o tratamiento antibiótico o corticoesteroidal prolongado 2,5 .…”