A 29-year-old man is being evaluated in the surgical departemnt due to a new fever and chills over last 12 hours. Two weeks ago, he was brought to the emergency department after sustaining a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He underwent a partial bowel resection due to bowel injury without complications. He has been receiving parenteral nutrition by inserted central venous catheter. His temperature is 38.2 C (101 F), blood pressure is 105/65 mm Hg, and pulse is 104/min. Abdominal examination shows a well healed wound with soft nontender on palpation. The catheter site on the left arm is mildly tender but shows no erythema. A yeast growth is detected on the blood culture Which of the following is characteristic of the most likely organism causing this bloodstream infection?

Question

A 29-year-old man is being evaluated in the surgical departemnt due to a new fever and chills over last 12 hours. Two weeks ago, he was brought to the emergency department after sustaining a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He underwent a partial bowel resection due to bowel injury without complications. He has been receiving parenteral nutrition by inserted central venous catheter.   His temperature is 38.2 C (101 F), blood pressure is 105/65 mm Hg, and pulse is 104/min.  Abdominal examination shows a well healed wound with soft nontender on palpation. The catheter site on the left arm is mildly tender but shows no erythema.  A yeast growth is detected on the blood culture Which of the following is characteristic of the most likely organism causing this bloodstream infection?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: The presence of a central vascular catheter and receipt of parenteral nutrition are risk factors for candidemia.  Candida display a morphology of branching pseudohyphae with blastoconidia.

A 29-Year-Old Man Is Being Evaluated in the Surgical Departemnt