Rhodotorula

Natural Habitat

• Air
• dairy products
• fruit juice
• soil
• water

Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment

• Carpeting
• cooling coils
• humidifiers
• water tanks

Allergenic Potential

• Reported to be allergenic

Potential Opportunist or Pathogen

• Meningitis endocarditis, Ventriculitis, Peritonitis, Endophthalmitis Central venous catheter-infections, Fungemia, and Sepsis have been reported in immunocompromised patients
• Rhodotorula rubra

Industrial Uses

• Mannan produced by Rhodotorula is useful for serological diagnosis for leptospirosis (a bacterial disease)
• Carotenoid production for the food industry

Potential Toxins Produced

• Unknown

References

• Matsuo K., Isogai, E., Araki, Y. 2000. Utilization of Exocellular Mannan from Rhodotorula glutinis as an Immunoreactive Antigen in Diagnosis of Leptospirosis. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 38(10): 3750-3754