High Incidence of an Emerging Opportunistic PathogenCandida parapsilosisin Water-Related Domestic Environments

Abstract

Candidiasis is one of the common fungal opportunistic infections, usually associated with diverse Candida species. Candida albicans, C. glabrata complex, C. parapsilosis complex, C. tropicalis and C. auris are often identified in affected patients. Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto is an emerging cause of hospital-acquired Candida infections, predominantly in Southern Europe, South America and Asia. Home environment is a less known source of infection despite frequent isolation of C. parapsilosis from kitchen surfaces and household appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerators. C. parapsilosis is one of the first colonisers of novel dishwashers and a member of stable fungal communities on rubber seals worldwide in concentrations up to 10 2 CFU/cm 2. It colonises also drawers for detergents in washing machines and drainage channels in refrigerators. Tap water and groundwater act as vector for entrance of C. parapsilosis in the indoor environments. Within C. parapsilosis, four clinically relevant phenotypes can be distinguished. Experimental data on the prevalence of C. parapsilosis isolates phenotypes, obtained from indoor environments, will be presented. Smooth phenotype prevails in dishwashers and washing machines, while crepe and crater dominate in water. In conclusion, the ability to colonise diverse environments and accordingly switch phenotypes defines C. parapsilosis as a versatile, domestic environment-related opportunistic pathogen.

How does temperature trigger biofilm adhesion and growth in Candida albicans and two non‐Candida albicans Candida species?

“… 3 , 37 , 38 However, over the last decades, the frequency of infections caused by non‐ Candida albicans Candida species (NCAC) has increased, 34 , 39 , 40 , 41 attracting the interest of researchers also on species such as Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis , usually associated to natural environments. Candida parapsilosis , a yeast normally found in food and natural environments, 42 , 43 today represents the second or third most frequently isolated Candida species from patients, with an increasing incidence in Mediterranean areas and the USA. 44 Candida tropicalis , on the other hand, is considered the second most threatful species after C. albicans .…”

“…Candida parapsilosis, a yeast normally found in food and natural environments, 42,43 today represents the second or third most frequently isolated Candida species from patients, with an increasing incidence in Mediterranean areas and the USA. 44 Candida tropicalis, on the other hand, is considered the second most threatful species after C. albicans.…”

Biocontrol Potential of Sodin 5, Type 1 Ribosome-Inactivating Protein from Salsola soda L. Seeds

“…While C. parapsilosis growth was inhibited at higher concentrations (20 and 40 µg/mL) of the protein, R. mucilaginosa growth was inhibited already at the lowest concentration (10 µg/mL). Among the tested fungi, these yeasts did not produce the excess of melanin [ 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ] and grew faster, which likely enhanced the effect of sodin 5. Apart from T. salinum , R. mucilaginosa was most affected by the protein.…”

Antifungal activity of 2-chloro-N-phenylacetamide: a new molecule with fungicidal and antibiofilm activity against fluconazole-resistant Candida spp.

“…Although C. albicans remains the most common fungal pathogen worldwide, a significant increase in infections caused by non-albicans species is reported in the last decade (Jain et al, 2017;Lamoth et al, 2018;Vieira et al, 2018). Of such species, C. parapsilosis has already been ranked as the second most frequent cause of candidemia in some countries of Southern Europe, Africa, North America and, notably, in a great portion of South America, especially in neonates, transplant recipients and patients with other malignancies such as cancer (Silva et al, 2012;Sun et al, 2019;Tóth et al, 2019;Zupančič et al, 2018).…”