Aureobasidium melanogenum fungemia in a patient with nephrotic syndrome

Aureobasidium melanogenum , a member of the Aureobasidium genus, is a yeast-like fungus that is widely distributed in natural environments. This organism demonstrates remarkable ecological adaptability, allowing it to thrive under extreme conditions such as high acidity, osmotic pressure, and nutrient scarcity. Aureobasidium spp . is recognized as a rare opportunistic pathogenic fungus capable of causing various clinical manifestations including mycosis, skin infections, peritonitis, and meningitis. The morphology of Aureobasidium spp . initially presents in a yeast-like form before transitioning into a mycelial form to facilitate nutrient acquisition. Due to its "dual morphology," this fungus is often misidentified as other fungal species. In this article, we present a case of nephrotic syndrome complicated by an infection with Aureobasidium melanogenum and review previous case reports to enhance the clinical understanding of this pathogen.