[2] Clavispora lusitaniae was initially described as a rare cause of fungemia, with fewer than 30 cases reported between 1979 and 1990.
However, there has been a marked increase in the number of recognized cases of candidemia due to this organism in the last two decades.[timeframe?]
Bone marrow transplantation and high-dose cytoreductive chemotherapy have both been identified as risk factors for infections with this organism.
A study found that C. lusitaniae was responsible for 19% of all breakthrough fungemia infections in cancer patients between 1998 and 2013.
[4] Some investigators have theorized that the widespread use of Amphotericin B empiric antifungal therapy selects for infections with Candida lusitaniae.