Although Malassezia furfur is normal skin flora causing superficial skin diseases, cases of fungemia have been reported recently in premature newborns or immunocompromised patients related to prolonged central venous catheterization for lipid supplementation. We report a case of M. furfur fungemia in a premature infant receiving intravenous lipid supplementation through central venous circulation. She was treated only with antifungal agents without removal of the catheter or discontinuation of lipid supplementation. Soon after, symptoms and signs of the patient seemed to be improved. However, central venous catheter was removed because of recurrent septicemia of Staphylococcus aureus and the culture of central venous catheter tip showed colonization of M. furfur. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2002;5:147-150)
Keywords
Malassezia furfur, Fungemia, Central venous catheter, Intravenous lipid supplementation