Fungemia due to Kodamaea ohmeri: First isolating in Italy. Case report and review of literature

Kodamaea ohmeri, also known as Pichia ohmeri, is a yeast belonging to the Saccharomycetes family. In 2012, our hospital has recorded the first case of fungemia caused by K. ohmeri in an 80-year-old male, admitted to intensive care following an acute anterior-lateral myocardial infarction. K. ohmeri grew in blood cultures. Biochemical identification was confirmed using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and molecular sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility has been performed by broth dilution technique. This case confirms that K. ohmeri is an emergent pathogen even though rarely isolated in human disease. Permanent catheterization is a risk factor and may cause the persistence of a K. ohmeri infection, as well as support treatments (mechanical ventilation, tracheotomy, dialysis). Our therapeutic strategy has been empirical and based exclusively on tested antifungals MIC because EUCAST recommendations does not indicate breakpoints.