Microsatellite-based genotyping of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates reveals dominance and persistence of a particular epidemiological clone among neonatal intensive care unit patients
In this study, using multilocus microsatellite analysis, we report the genetic characterization of 27 Candida parapsilosis isolates recovered in two different periods of time (2007-2009 and 2011-2012) from infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital in Messina, Italy. The results revealed the persistence and dominance of a particular infectious genotype among NICU patients and highlight the power of the used microsatellite markers in clarifying epidemiologic associations, detect micro-evolutionary variations and facilitating the recognition of outbreaks. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
Multilocus microsatellite analysis of European and African Candida glabrata isolates
This study aimed to elucidate the genetic relatedness and epidemiology of 127 clinical and environmental Candida glabrata isolates from Europe and Africa using multilocus microsatellite analysis. Each isolate was first identified using phenotypic and molecular methods and subsequently, six unlinked microsatellite loci were analyzed using automated fluorescent genotyping. Genetic relationships were estimated using the minimum-spanning tree (MStree) method. Microsatellite analyses revealed the existence of 47 different genotypes. The fungal population showed an irregular distribution owing to the over-representation of genetically different infectious haplotypes. The most common genotype was …
Actinomadura pelletieri mycetoma--an atypical case with spine and abdominal wall involvement.
We describe a case of mycetoma caused by Actinomadura pelletieri with simultaneous involvement of the spine, abdominal wall and retroperitoneal space in a man who had suffered from ‘Madura foot’ 10 years earlier. The characteristics of this case were analysed and contextualized among those of other cases of mycetoma caused by other micro-organisms found through a review of the international literature. The rarity of the disease in industrialized countries and its possible atypical presentations may hinder a prompt diagnosis. Culture techniques that allow detection of slow-growing fungi and actinomycetes should be routinely used when dealing with tissue samples from patients from tropical an…
Molecular characterization of Italian Candida parapsilosis isolates reveals the cryptic presence of the newly described species Candida orthopsilosis in blood cultures from newborns
The authors report the molecular characterization of Candida parapsilosis isolates recovered from the blood and venous central catheter tips of patients admitted to different care units of the Polyclinic Hospital, University of Messina, Italy. Among 97 presumed C. parapsilosis isolates examined, 94 were identified as C. parapsilosis sensu stricto and the remaining 3 isolates were found to belong to the cryptic species Candida orthopsilosis which was recovered only from blood cultures of neonates (<30 days old) born prematurely. No C. metapsilosis was found in this study. This study emphasizes the role of C. parapsilosis as an important nosocomial pathogen, and it also describes, for the fir…
Potential association of specific Candida parapsilosis genotypes, bloodstream infections and colonization of health workers' hands.
AbstractFungal nosocomial infections continue to be a serious problem among hospitalized patients, decreasing quality of life and adding millions of euros to healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of fungi associated with the hands of healthcare workers and to genotype Candida parapsilosis isolates in order to understand whether their high clinical prevalence stems from endemic nosocomial genotypes or from the real emergence of epidemiologically-unrelated strains. Approximately 39% (50/129) of healthcare workers were positive for yeasts and among 77 different fungal isolates recovered, C. parapsilosis was the most frequent (44/77; 57%). Twenty-seven diverse geno…
Neonatal liver abscesses associated with candidemia: three cases and review of literature.
Abstract BACKGROUND: Our aim was to identify risk factors for the development of neonatal Candida liver abscess and to find useful information to better manage this potentially fatal complication. METHODS: A computerized search was conducted using PubMed. Overall, three articles describing the history of seven infants were finally considered. The characteristics of these seven cases were analyzed together with those of three new cases that we treated in the recent past. RESULTS: All the neonates were premature. Previous antibiotic use was reported in all the cases, umbilical venous catheterization in 9/10 and total parenteral nutrition in 8/10. Candida albicans was isolated in 9/10. All the…