Fungal sepsis in a 7-month-old female: diagnosis through peripheral blood smear

Abstract

We report a case of a 7-month-old female with prolonged high-grade fever unresponsive to broad-spectrum antibiotics and antimalarial drugs. Despite negative cultures and imaging, a Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear on day 28 revealed yeast cells, suggesting fungal sepsis in the context of prolonged antibiotic exposure and thrombocytopenia. The patient responded well to oral fluconazole, with full clinical recovery. This case underscores the value of peripheral blood smear examination in diagnosing yeast infections in resource-limited settings.