title: Invasive infections caused by Saprochaete capitata in patients with haematological malignancies: report of five cases and review of the antifungal therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Saprochaete capitata (formerly known as Geotrichum capitatum and Blastoschizomyces capitatus) is a ubiquitous fungus found in soil, water, air, plants and dairy products. It colonizes the skin, and bronchial and intestinal tract of healthy people producing serious opportunistic infections in patients with haematological malignancies, especially in those with acute leukaemia. Since 1960s its presence is being increasingly recognized in this group of patients. The clinical spectrum of S. capitata disseminated infections is very similar to that produced by Candida, being easily misinterpreted. The associated high mortality and low susceptibility to fluconazole and echinocandins of S. capitata require the acknowledgement of this emergent infection so that it can be properly treated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 5 new cases of S. capitata disseminated infection in patients with advanced haematological malignancies observed in the haematology unit between the years 2004 and 2010, and review the state-of-the-art for diagnosis and treatment of this infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on our experience, the prophylactic use of or the empirical antifungal treatment with fluconazole and/or echinocandins would not be adequate for oncohaematological patients in those hospitals where S. capitata infection may be highly prevalent.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Hematología y Hemoterapia, BioCruces Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Cruces, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: García-Ruiz
authors.forename: Leyre
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: López-Soria
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Olazábal
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amutio
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Arrieta-Aguirre
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Velasco-Benito
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pontón
authors.forename: Maria-Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Moragues
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D055157:Dipodascus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D064147:Febrile Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D016469:Fungemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents
keywords: Antifungals; Antimicóticos; Blastoschizomyces capitatus; Cáncer hematológico; Diagnóstico molecular; Geotrichum capitatum; Haematological malignancies; Molecular diagnostics; Saprochaete capitata