Mucilaginous rhodotorula

Mostly saprophytic, pigmented (carotenoid) yeast fungus.

Worldwide, ubiquitously distributed. Occurs naturally on the ground, in water, on trees and flowers, in food and in the air. Occasionally found in the household on toothbrushes, bath mats or shower curtains. Proven as a contaminant in sputum, urine, blood, etc. Rarely and mostly as a result of invasive procedures (venous catheters, indwelling cannulas) as an opportunist fungemic in immunocompromised patients, diabetics, AIDS or other serious underlying diseases.

Mostly severe systemic infections, e.g. septicaemia, meningitis, ventriculitis, myocarditis or peritonitis.

Cultures: Rhodotorula cultures are characterized by characteristic red to orange colonies with a smooth, waxy surface typical of yeasts. The red colony colour clearly distinguishes Rhodotorula species from the more human pathogenic Candida species.

• No hyphae.
• Pseudohyphs are usually absent or only rudimentary.
• Unicellular, elongated or bulb-shaped blastoconidia (occasionally encapsulated).

1. Kiraz N, Gulbas Z, Akgun Y (2000) Case report. Rhodotorula rubra fungaemia due to use of indwelling venous catheters. Mycoses 43: 209-210
2. Lui Ay et al (1998) Amphotericin B lipid complex therapy in AIDS patient with Rhodotorula rubra fungemia. Clin Infec Dis 27: 892-893
3. Merkur AB, Hodge WG (2002) Rhodotorula rubra endophthalmitis in an HIV positive patient. Br J Ophthalmol 86: 1444-1445
4. Kiraz N, Gulbas Z, Akgun Y (2000) Case report. Rhodotorula rubra fungaemia due to use of indwelling venous catheters. Mycoses 43: 209-210
5. Papadogeorgakis H (1999) Rhodotorula rubra fungaemia in an immunosuppressed patient. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 12: 169-170