Internal Medicine: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2165-8048
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2165-8048
+44 1300 500008
Reinaldo Ramirez Amill, Erica Watts, Maria Marrero, Martha Kyriacou and Arelis Febles
University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Intern Med
K odamaea ohmeri has only been identified as the causative agent of infections in humans in a scarce amount of cases. A 43 year old male patient who was sent to the Emergency Room after routine laboratories showed leukocytosis and a blood culture grew up yeast. Patient recently finished a course of 42 days of intravenous empiric antibiotic therapy with Vancomycin and Zosyn for a left foot osteomyelitis via a peripheral inserted central catheter. Upon evaluation, vital signs were stable and there was a right arm peripheral inserted central line catheter in place, without nearby erythema, induration or suppuration. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis. Patient was empirically administered caspofungin. A yeast like organism was isolated from the patient�s blood and from the tip of the catheter, which was later identified as K. ohmeri. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a mobile echodense structure associated to the aortic and tricuspid valve, suggestive of vegetation. On follow up blood cultures the same yeast was isolated from her blood. Therapy was changed to Fluconazole. Trans-esophageal echocardiogram was then performed and was negative for vegetations. Subsequent blood cultures were also negative. Upon completion of therapy, patient was discharged home in a stable condition. This case illustrates a rare cause of fungal endocarditis and fungemia, which was successfully treated with fluconazole. K. ohmeri is an uncommon human pathogen, with only a few case reports in the medical literature. Due to its rareness, data regarding optimal treatment regimens is limited. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal antifungal regimens.
Reinaldo Ramirez Amill has completed his BS in Biology from University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus and his MD from the University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine. He is currently doing subspecialty in Internal Medicine at University of Puerto Rico, Internal Residency Program. His current interests include preventive medicine, scientific research and mentoring the youth interested in the field of science and medicine.
Email: reinaldo.ramirez@upr.edu