An inconspicuous identification: Isolation and identification of a novel Pichia species presenting as fungemia following cardiac surgery

Abstract

Fungemia is common in critically ill patient populations, and is associated with a high rate of mortality, especially when caused by nonalbicans Candida species. Herein, we describe a fatal case of fungemia following cardiothoracic surgery in which the organism, initially identified as Candida inconspicua, represents a novel species: Pichia alaskaensis.

Keywords: Candida inconspicua; Candidiasis; Pichia.