Quantitative evaluation of fungi of the genus Candida in the feces of adult patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes - a pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundGastrointestinal tract microbiota, particularly bacterial microflora, seem to have a different qualitative and quantitative composition in both type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) mellitus cases as compared to non-diabetic individuals. So far, there are no data from diabetes research concerning the prevalence of fungi, particularly the most common genus, i.e. Candida, which are important components of human colon microflora.We aimed to examine whether there are quantitative changes of Candida fungi in the feces of patients with T1DM and T2DM as compared to healthy controls.FindingsOverall, we included 44 diabetic patients (27 patients with T1DM and 17 with T2DM) as well as 17 healthy, non-diabetic controls. Feces and blood samples were collected from all study individuals. DNA was isolated from fecal samples and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) was applied in order to determine the number of fungal cells. Statistical association with selected clinical and biochemical features was examined.There was a difference in the amount of Candida in the feces among the three examined groups (p = 0.007). Candida spp. populations in T1DM and T2DM subjects were larger as compared to controls (p = 0.017 and p = 0.037, respectively). However, no difference was found between T1DM and T2DM. No association was identified between the quantity of fungi and examined patients’ characteristics, except for negative correlation with blood lipid parameters in T2DM group.ConclusionsCandida fungi appear to be more prevalent in the feces of patients with T1DM and T2DM. Their amount seems to be associated with serum lipids in T2DM patients. This initial finding requires further confirmation.

Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Yeast Species Isolated from Stool Samples of Children with Suspected or Diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorders and In Vitro Susceptibility Against Nystatin and Fluconazole

“…Although recent few studies revealed that human gut microbiome differs among individuals in correlation with diet, age, antibiotic usage, and underlying conditions [26][27][28][29], up to 60 % of healthy people are thought as asymptomatic carriers of Candida spp. as a commensal in the gastrointestinal tract.…”

Mycobiome in the Gut: A Multiperspective Review

“…(iii) Specific fungal composition could be potentially used to distinguish between obese and nonobese patients Diabetes (i) C. albicans is more prevalence in type 1 diabetes [123][124][125] (ii) C. albicans is more prevalence in type 1 and type 2 diabetes (iii) No difference is found between C. albicans colonization in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. [124] (iv) Isolated fungal species from type 1 diabetes patient is more resistant towards antifungal treatment [125] Atherosclerosis -(i) Phylum Zygomycota, which consists of family Mucoraceae and genus Mucor, was negatively correlated with the risk of cardiovascular disease development through carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) method [129] Alcoholic liver disease -(i) Decreased in fungal diversity along with Candida overgrowth in alcohol-dependent patients [130] Central nervous system diseases Rett syndrome (i) High abundance of Candida genus were detected [134] Autism Spectrum disorder (i) Candida, Malassezia, Aspergillus, and Penicilliun genera were identified [135] Schizophrenia (i) Increased levels of S. cerevisiae and C. albicans species [136] (ii) Close association of gastrointestinal tract disturbance with elevation of C. albicans species and lower cognitive score [137] 7 Mediators of Inflammation role of gut fungi in different stages of colorectal adenoma. In the study, the authors characterized mucosal mycobiota in twenty-seven paired samples of adenomas and adjacent tissues, where Glomeromycota and Basidiomycota phyla dominated both adenomas and adjacent tissues from all subjects.…”

<p>Epidemiology and Mortality-Associated Factors of Invasive Fungal Disease in Elderly Patients: A 20-Year Retrospective Study from Southern China</p>

“…21 Patients with DM are susceptible to candidiasis. Elevated blood glucose level creates a specific condition for intensive fungal colonization, 22 and DM per se is an independent predictor for biofilm-forming Candida bloodstream infection. 23 The proportions of candidiasis in patients with solid organ malignancy and CKD were extremely high in our study.…”