Abstract: Objective To report a rare severe case of blood stream infection by Rhodotorula glutinis(R.glutinis)and to share our experience in the diagnosis and treatment with colleagues. Methods The report described a case of catheter-associated R.glutinis bloodstream infection was analyzed after cardiac surgery and reviewed relevant literature. Results R.glutinis bloodstream infection is uncommon in the world. It is difficult to make early diagnosis or tend to leading mis-diagnosis. This kind infection is inclined to occur in immuno-compromised individuals, and its clinical features are repeated high fever, failure of treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, normal G test (fungal D-glucose Sugar) results. The diagnosis depends on pathogen culture. R. glutinis is resistant to caspofungin and fluconazole but is sensitive to other antifungal drugs, such as amphotericin B, itraconazole and voriconazole. Patient responded well to intravenous amphotericin B and continued oral posaconazole antifungal therapy. Conclusions For critically ill patients who are not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics and empirical antifungal (caspofungin and fluconazole) treatment, doctors should be aware of the possibility of bloodstream infection caused by yeast-R.glutinis, and treat patient with sensitive antifungal drugs and timely and avoid potential misdiagnosis.

Key words: Rhodotorula glutinis, bloodstream infection, candidemia