# Candidemia due to Candida lambica in a neutropenic oncology patient: A rare case report

## TL;DR

A rare case of Candida lambica bloodstream infection in a cancer patient shows the importance of advanced testing for effective treatment.

## Contribution

Highlights the clinical relevance of rare Candida species and the need for molecular diagnostics and susceptibility testing.

## Key findings

- Candida lambica was identified via ITS rDNA sequencing in a patient with febrile neutropenia.
- Antifungal susceptibility testing guided successful treatment with voriconazole.
- Conventional diagnostics failed to identify the rare non-albicans Candida species.

## Abstract

We report a rare case of Candida lambica candidemia in a 56-year-old male with acute myeloid leukemia undergoing intensive chemotherapy. Despite fluconazole prophylaxis, the patient developed persistent febrile neutropenia. Blood cultures grew yeast, later identified as C. lambica via ITS rDNA sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed sensitivity to voriconazole and other antifungals resulting in clinical improvement following targeted therapy. This case highlights the growing clinical relevance of rare non-albicans candida species in immunocompromised hosts, the limitations of conventional diagnostics, and the importance of molecular tools and antifungal susceptibility testing in guiding effective treatment.