To explore the diagnostic features of microbiology of rhodotorula mucilaginosa bloodstream infection caused by internal jugular vein puncture and to provide basis for the clinical treatment.

A case of cerebral hemorrhage complicated with infection admitted to the Intensive Care Department of The First People′s Hospital of Lanzhou City, on January 14, 2018 was retrospectively analyzed. The results of microbiology culture, identification, drug sensitivity test of blood and catheter and corresponding clinical treatment measures were analyzed.

Both of aerobic and anaerobic blood culture of the central vein for the patient were positive after 92 h, in addition, the culture of catheter showed milky white colonies on blood agar plate after 48 h, and the microscopic examination of the Gram staining smear showed oval or elliptical fungal spores and hyphae, which were isolated, cultured and identified as rhodotorula mucilaginosa. The drug sensitivity test showed that it was sensitive to antifungal agents in vitro, such as flucytosine, amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole. The clinician considered that it maybe catheter-related blood stream infection, and just pulled out the venous catheter instead of giving antifungal therapy, then reexamination of blood culture presented negative.

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa is an emerging opportunistic pathogen, which is mostly derived from iatrogenic factors. Clinicians need to consider whether to take antifungal treatment for it.