Pichia anomala, A Rare Cause of Nosocomial Fungal Sepsis in Newborn. Is Empirical Use of Third Generation Cephalosporin to Blame?

Traditionally, Candida albicans is known to be the major cause of nosocomial fungal sepsis in neonates. However, there has been increased detection of various other emerging pathogenic yeasts like Pichia anomala (also referred as Wickerhamomyces anomalous/Hansenula anomala in the literature). Here, authors report a case of a full-term male neonate born with severe birth asphyxia and respiratory distress empirically treated with third generation cephalosporins, who later developed fungemia and meningitis due to yeast (Pichia anomala) has been documented. The possible risk factors could be severe birth asphyxia and empirical use of third generation cephalosporin (cefotaxime) initially.