Case report of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae lung parenchyma infection in an immunocompetent 64-year-old male with a Zenker diverticulum

Abstract

Abstract Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a yeast microorganism known to inhabit the gut micro-biome. It is commonly used in the fermentation process of beer, wine, bread making, and is naturally found in soil, plants, and fruit. Saccharomyces boulardii (subtype of Saccharomyces) and cerevisiae are closely related and are commonly used as a probiotic and in treatment for diarrhea. In rare circumstances, Saccharomyces has been shown to cause infection in the immunocompromised and intensive care unit (ICU) patients, with antibiotic use, and central venous catheter use. This prompts us to present one of the only documented case reports of a lung parenchyma infection with Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a 64-year-old immunocompetent male with a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), atrial fibrillation, atrioventricular (AV) nodal ablation, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF (post-status automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator)), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), gastric esophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a Zenker diverticulum.

Keywords

• Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• Zenker diverticulum
• Aspiration
• Lung parenchymal infection