Trichosporon Asahii, an Emerging Nosocomial Pathogen: Are We Aware?

Background and Objective: Trichosporon asahii are basidiomycetous yeast-like anamorphic organisms and presently that are widely distributed in nature and found predominantly in tropical and temperate areas. Now it has been considered as an emerging nosoocomial pathogen with increasing morbidity and mortality. Urinary tract infections due to Trichosporon asahii, are frequently associated with indwelling medical devices. Very few studies have reported Trichosporon asahii infections from India. Here, we present four cases of nosocomial urinary tract infections due to Trichosporon asahii, with an update on Trichosporon asahii. Methods: All 4 patients were admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and were catheterized. The patient’s urine samples were sent to Microbiology department for microscopical examination and culture. The urine samples were cultured on blood agar, Mac Conkey’s agar and Sabbouraud’s dextrose agar. Results: The growth on culture was identified as T. asahii by conventional tests and VITEK ID – YST card test. Conclusion: The diagnosis of Trichosporon asahii is likely to be missed particularly in developing countries, because of a general lack of awareness and lack of acquaintance with its salient diagnostic features. All budding yeast cells observed in urine is not due to Candida species and there lie the importance of culture and different diagnostic test for Trochosporonosis.