''Candida lusitaniae'' is a species of

yeast Yeasts are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms classified as members of the fungus kingdom. The first yeast originated hundreds of millions of years ago, and at least 1,500 species are currently recognized. They are estimated to constit ...

in the genus '' Candida''. ''Candida lusitaniae'' was first identified as a human pathogen in 1979. ''Candida lusitaniae'' was initially described as a rare cause of fungemia, with fewer than 30 cases reported between 1979 and 1990. However, there has been a marked increase in the number of recognized cases of candidemia due to this organism in the last two decades. Bone marrow transplantation and high-dose cytoreductive chemotherapy have both been identified as risk factors for infections with this organism. These patients are often neutropenic for extended periods of time, leaving them susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections, including Candidal infections. Some investigators have theorized that the widespread use of Amphotericin B empiric antifungal therapy selects for infections with ''Candida lusitaniae''.

References

Yeasts lusitaniae {{yeast-stub