Fungal peritonitis in a patient on peritoneal dialysis caused by Hyphopichia burtonii: A rare pathogen in human infection

Fungal peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is rare but is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Candida species are the most common causative agents, but infections caused by unusual, often “nonpathogenic,” fungi are being increasingly reported. Hyphopichia burtonii is typically associated with food spoilage and has rarely been reported in human infections.

We describe the case of a 44-year-old female with end-stage renal disease on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) who developed peritonitis caused by Hyphopichia burtonii. Following the identification of the fungus, the patient was put on hemodialysis, the peritoneal dialysis catheter was removed, and he was given fluconazole for two weeks having favorable clinical development.

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