Kodamaea Ohmeri: An Emerging Opportunistic Yeast - A Case Series from Northeast India

Abstract

Introduction

Kodamaea ohmeri, formerly classified under the genera Pichia and Yamadazyma, is an uncommon ascomycetous

yeast belonging to the family Saccharomycetaceae [1,2]. It represents the teleomorphic form of Candida

guilliermondii var. membranaefaciens and has traditionally been utilized in the food industry for the fermentation

of fruits, pickles, and rinds [3]. The genus Kodamaea currently comprises five recognized species (K. anthrophila, K.

kakaduensis, K. laetipori, K. nitidulidarum, and K. ohmeri), among which only K. ohmeri has been associated with

human pathogenicity [4]. K. ohmeri has emerged in recent years as an opportunistic fungal pathogen, particularly

in immunocompromised hosts [4,5]. Since the initial description of K. ohmeri–associated sepsis, reports of invasive

fungal disease due to this organism have steadily increased. Documented presentations include bloodstream

infection, catheter-associated fungemia, peritonitis, and infective endocarditis. Notably, several hospital-based

outbreaks—particularly within neonatal and paediatric intensive care settings—have highlighted its capacity for

nosocomial transmission and its association with substantial mortality [6–12]