Kazachstania slooffiae Fungemia: A Case Report and Literature Review on an Emerging Opportunistic Pathogen in Humans

TL;DR

A rare case of bloodstream infection caused by Kazachstania slooffiae in an immunocompromised patient is reported, highlighting its emergence as a human pathogen.

Contribution

This is the first report of Kazachstania slooffiae causing bloodstream infection in humans.

Findings

Kazachstania slooffiae fungemia occurred in a 77-year-old immunocompromised male with gastrointestinal issues.

Advanced diagnostic methods like MALDI-TOF MS and DNA sequencing are essential for identifying this pathogen.

Antifungal treatments such as caspofungin and fluconazole have shown favorable outcomes in managing infections.

Abstract

We report a case of Kazachstania slooffiae fungemia in a 77-year-old immunocompromised male with gastrointestinal abnormalities including achalasia, gastroparesis, and prior esophagectomy. He presented with sepsis, gastric ischemia, and pleural effusion. To date, only 2 prior cases of Kazachstania slooffiae infection have been reported, both involving nonbloodstream infections.

We reviewed the existing literature and compared clinical, diagnostic, and treatment characteristics across all identified cases.

Kazachstania slooffiae has been identified in critically ill, immunocompromised patients with gastrointestinal anatomic abnormalities, underlying malignancy, and disease. Diagnosis relies on advanced methods such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and DNA sequencing. Antifungal treatments (caspofungin, fluconazole, micafungin) have resulted in favorable outcomes.

This review highlights Kazachstania slooffiae as a rare opportunistic pathogen and provides the first evidence for Kazachstania slooffiae as a bloodstream pathogen in humans. Prompt identification and antifungal therapy are critical for managing infections.

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