Invasive fungal infection of the central nervous system caused by rare yeast pathogen <i>Malassezia spp.</i> in patients with acute leukemia: case reports and literature review

Abstract

Malassezia spp. is a commensal yeast that represents normal microflora in humans and some animals. However, Malassezia spp. can cause life-threatening invasive mycosis. Evidence on Malassezia spp. infections is limited mostly to a case reports describing disease in newborns and premature infants, because lipid infusions (total parenteral nutrition) given through central venous catheter is a major risk factor. Here, we report two cases of CNS infection caused by Malassezia species in non-neonates with acute leukemia.

Keywords

• invasive mycosis
• invasive fungal disease
• <i>malassezia spp.</i>
• acute leukemia
• meningoencephalitis