Treatment of Candida Famata Bloodstream Infections: Case Series and Review of the Literature

Objectives: Candida famata (also known as Debaryomyces hansenii and Torulopsis candida) is a commensal yeast found in cheese, dairy products and the environment. C. famata accounts for 0.2%-2% of invasive candidiasis. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the treatment of C. famata bloodstream infections.

Methods: The clinical course of two hospitalized patients who developed C. famata fungaemia within 2 weeks of each other was summarized along with available data regarding in vitro susceptibility patterns, genotyping and clinical outcomes of these cases compared with the published literature.

Results And Conclusions: C. famata appears to exhibit reduced susceptibility to echinocandins and azoles, particularly in the setting of prior antifungal exposure. The removal of indwelling central venous catheters and prompt initiation of therapy with liposomal amphotericin B is recommended for successful treatment of C. famata fungaemia, particularly in immunocompromised patients. These cases also help provide justification for routine antifungal susceptibility testing in patients with candidaemia to guide optimal antifungal therapy.