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Case Reports
. 2025 Feb 11:47:100696.
doi: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2025.100696. eCollection 2025 Mar.

First human case of Eidernor doerrieniae colonization in a peritoneal dialysis catheter: A warning from silent contamination

Phichit Songviriyavithaya  1 , Aschariya Wipattanakitcharoen  2 , Niparat Pikul  1 , Dhammika Leshan Wannigama  3   4   5   6   7   8 , Talerngsak Kanjanabuch  2   9   10
Affiliations
Case Reports

First human case of Eidernor doerrieniae colonization in a peritoneal dialysis catheter: A warning from silent contamination

Phichit Songviriyavithaya et al. Med Mycol Case Rep. .

Abstract

This report documents the first human case of Eidernor doerrieniae colonization in a peritoneal dialysis catheter, identified through DNA sequencing after a 52-year-old man observed brownish particles within his catheter. Despite the absence of peritonitis symptoms, prompt catheter removal and antifungal therapy successfully resolved the infection. Fungal cultures revealed cerebriform (brain-like) colonies, confirmed as E. doerrieniae using multi-targeted molecular diagnostics. A wet contamination event three weeks earlier was identified as the likely source. This case underscores the importance of recognizing intraluminal particles as an indicator of fungal colonization and highlights the critical role of timely intervention and advanced diagnostics in preventing fungal peritonitis.

Keywords: Catheter-related infections; Eidernor; Eidernor doerrieniae; Fungal colonization; Peritoneal dialysis; Wet contamination.

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Conflict of interest statement

This research was generously supported by several esteemed institutions: the 10.13039/501100010724Health Systems Research Institute (10.13039/501100010724HSRI) [Grant No. 67-130], Thailand; the 10.13039/501100017170Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fund, 10.13039/501100002873Chulalongkorn University, Thailand [Grant Nos. HEAF67300066 and HEA_FF_68_018_3000_002]; and the Ratchadapiseksompotch Fund, 10.13039/501100002873Chulalongkorn University, Thailand [Grant Nos. HEA663000115 and HEA663000116]. Further support was provided by the Ratchadapiseksompotch Fund, Graduate Affairs, 10.13039/501100004776Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand [Grant No. GA66/047]; the Kidney Foundation of Thailand [Grant No. 1205/2564]; and the 10.13039/100020648Royal College of Physicians of Thailand [Grant No. 02/66]. TK has received consultancy fees from VISTERRA and AstraZeneca as a country investigator and is a recipient of funding from the National Research Council of Thailand. Additionally, TK has received speaking honoraria from AstraZeneca, Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Fresenius Medical Care, and Baxter Healthcare. The remaining author has declared no commercial or financial relationships that could be perceived as potential conflicts of interest related to this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Fungal Colonization and Microbiological Features of Eidernor doerrieniae (A) Brownish particles visible inside the removed peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter, suggestive of fungal colonization. (B) Potassium hydroxide (KOH) staining demonstrates hyphal structures under light microscopy (x400). (C) Early-stage colonies of E. doerrieniae on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) at day 4, appearing white, smooth, and circular. (D) Mature colonies at day 7 exhibit a cerebriform (brain-like) surface with prominent furrows and a compact texture. (E) Lactophenol cotton blue staining shows pseudohyphal budding patterns with primary and secondary conidia under light microscopy (x400), supporting the identification of fungal growth.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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