Rhodotorula Species Peritonitis in a Liver Transplant Recipient: A Case Report

A 62-year-old man with a six months status post liver transplant due to hepatitis C infection, was admitted with ascites and pyrexia of unknown origin. Despite extensive investigations, his fever remained undiagnosed, so he was started empirically on anti tuberculous agents, ganciclovir and trimethoprim/sulfa. The liver function deteriorated and a liver biopsy showed evidence of allograft rejection for which the patient was started on systemic steroids. Later, yeast grew from the ascitic fluid, which was identified as Rhodotorula species. The draining peritoneal catheter was removed and the patient was started on Amphotericin B. The amphotericin was continued for 10 days during which the patient defervesced and repeat ascitic fluid culture became negative. In conclusion, Rhodotorula species infection is a rare form of infection in the immunocompromised host that is usually associated with indwelling catheter insertion. The infection responded to the removal of the indwelling catheter and amphotericin B treatment.