Malassezia furfur in the tracheal aspirate of ventilated neonates – a prospective, longitudinal study

Question: Systemic infections and death due to Malassezia furfur (Mf), a common skin yeast, have been reported in premature neonates. Central venous catheters (CVC) and parenteral lipids have been suggested as major risk factors for Mf infection resulting in pulmonary or systemic infection. The rate of colonization of CVCs with MF is second only to coagulase negative staphylococci. However, transbronchial infection of the lungs in ventilated infants might also be possible. Also, as Mf is an obligatory lipophilic yeast, it can only be detected in lipid-containing culture media or by Pappenheim staining. Thus, lit…