Amphotericin B lipid complex for Hansenula anomala pneumonia.
OBJECTIVE
To document the first successful treatment of a patient with Hansenula anomala pneumonia.


METHODS
A healthy 32-year-old white man who underwent splenectomy and aortic repair following a motor vehicle accident developed a life-threatening infection 2 days after admission into the intensive care unit (ICU). A rare fungus, H. anomala, was isolated from his lungs, blood, and urine. Lipid complex amphotericin B (ABLC) was initiated following worsening signs of infection complicated by renal failure. The patient received ABLC for 17 days, eventually making a full recovery, allowing ICU discharge 1 month after admission.


CONCLUSIONS
This case represents the first successful treatment of H. anomala pneumonia reported in the literature. H. anomala infections typically occur in immunocompromised, neonatal, or pediatric populations in extrapulmonary sites. All 6 cases of H. anomala pneumonia reported in the literature were fatal, and all preceded the availability of ABLC. This case of H. anomala pneumonia is unique because our adult patient survived possibly due to the availability of aggressive treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
ABLC may be the agent of choice for treatment of H. anomala infections, particularly in patients with acute renal failure.
Kane
Sandra L
SL
College of Pharmacy, Ohio State University, 500 W. 12th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA. dasta.1@osu.edu
Dasta
Joseph F
JF
Cook
Charles H
CH
D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D010843:Pichia; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D013156:Splenectomy; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D008081:Liposomes; D000666:Amphotericin B