EC Paediatrics

Malassezia pachydermatis, a rarely reported zoonotic pathogen that can potently cause life-threatening septicemia, was reported from the blood culture of a low birth-weight male infant with renal complications and congenital heart disease. Blood-sample screening through routine culture revealed fungal growth on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (without lipid supplementation). Creamy, dull, smooth, pasty colonies upon staining and visualization revealed short hyphae and infrequent branching, characteristic to M. pachydermatis. The patient responded to antifungal fluconazole post intravenous cefotaxime, amikacin, and meropenem, hence suggesting an effective empirical treatment and cure to the infection despite physiological complications.

Keywords: Blood Culture; Malassezia pachydermatis; Paediatrics

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