An inconspicuous identification: Isolation and identification of a novel Pichia species presenting as fungemia following cardiac surgery.

ABSTRACT

Fungemia is common in critically ill patient populations, and is associated with a high rate of mortality, especially when caused by nonalbicans Candida species. Herein, we describe a fatal case of fungemia following cardiothoracic surgery in which the organism, initially identified as Candida inconspicua, represents a novel species Pichia alaskaensis.