Molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility profiles of Candida parapsilosis complex species isolated from culture collection of clinical samples

Abstract

Introduction:Candida parapsilosis is a common yeast species found in cases of onychomycosis and candidemia associated with infected intravascular devices. In this study, we differentiated Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto, Candida orthopsilosis, and Candida metapsilosis from a culture collection containing blood and subungual scraping samples. Furthermore, we assessed the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of these species to fl uconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin. Methods: Differentiation of C. parapsilosis complex species was performed by amplifi cation of the secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (SADH) gene and digestion by the restriction enzyme BanI. All isolates were evaluated for the determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations using Etest, a method for antifungal susceptibility testing. Results: Among the 87 isolates, 78 (89.7%) were identifi ed as C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, fi ve (5.7%) were identifi ed as C. orthopsilosis, and four (4.6%) were identifi ed as C. metapsilosis. Analysis of antifungal susceptibility showed that C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates were less susceptible to amphotericin B and itraconazole. One C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolate was resistant to amphotericin B and itraconazole. Moreover, 10.2% of C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates were resistant to caspofungin. Two C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates and one C. metapsilosis isolate were susceptible to fl uconazole in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: We reported the fi rst molecular identifi cation of C. parapsilosis complex species in State of Goiás, Brazil. Additionally, we showed that although the three species exhibited differences in antifungal susceptibility profi les, the primary susceptibility of this species was to caspofungin.

Molecular Characterization of Candida parapsilosis Species Complex in Niches of the Oral Cavity in a Cohort of Patients from Argentina with Different Oral and Dental Clinical Manifestations

“…This result is in line with other studies [19,20]. However, Ataides F et al [14] and Lockhart et al, [6] reported C. parapsilosis sensu stricto species resistance to AMB. The response of the parapsilosis species complex to AMB varies considerably from one region to another, which could be determined by genotypic variability of the three species involved in this complex.…”

“…Candida parapsilosis is currently considered an emerging nosocomial pathogen [14], and its growing resistance to the azole and echinocandins groups [3,7,10,11] has placed it in the spotlight in recent years. It is an integrated complex composed of 3 species phenotypically indistinguishable, but due to its genetic heterogeneity, such discrimination is possible using molecular techniques only.…”

“…Within this complex, C. parapsilosis sensu stricto is the species most isolated from clinical isolates derived of both immunocompetent patients either in pathological conditions or commensal [1][2][3]6,7,9,14,16]. This fact has been backed up by many studies worldwide.…”

Identification to Species Level of Candida parapsilosis Complex into Sites Oral Cavity in a Cohort of Argentinos Patients

“…Of the complex, C. parapsilosis sensu stricto is the most isolated species in clinical isolates derived from immunocompetent patients both pathological conditions and such commensal [6,7]. This is knowledge that has been supported by many studies worldwide.…”

The Oral Cavity: A Reservoir that Favors Colonization and Selection of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto Strains with High Pathogen Potential Under Conditions of Gingival-periodontal Disease

“…Currently, Candida parapsilosisis considered as a nosocomial emerging pathogen [33][34][35][36], and its growing resistance to azoles and echinocandins [37][38][39] has put it under the spotlight in the last few years. It is a complex of 3 phenotypically indistinguishable species, but, due to their genetic heterogeneity, it is possible to differentiate them only with molecular techniques [40].…”