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Fernandes MZ, Caetano CF, Gaspar C, Oliveira AS, Palmeira-de-Oliveira R, Martinez-de-Oliveira J, Rolo J, Palmeira-de-Oliveira A. Uncovering the Yeast Diversity in the Female Genital Tract: An Exploration of Spatial Distribution and Antifungal Resistance. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040595. [PMID: 37111481 PMCID: PMC10145200 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is the leading cause of vulvovaginal yeast infections; however, other species are becoming relevant in this niche. The spatial distribution of these fungi in the female genital tract remains poorly understood. In this study, swab samples were collected from 33 patients, first from the anterior vulva and then from the upper third and right lateral wall of the vagina: 16 were with symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis and 17 were without characteristic symptoms; furthermore, the genus and species of each isolate were identified. In vitro susceptibility testing for fluconazole and clotrimazole was performed for all isolates. Candida albicans was the most common species (63.6%), followed by Rhodotorula spp. (51.5%), and then Candida parapsilosis (15.2%). Rhodotorula spp. and C. parapsilosis were more commonly associated with colonization, and C. albicans with infection. Rhodotorula spp. isolates presented a low susceptibility to fluconazole, with the MIC ranging from 32 to >64 µg/mL. Differences in susceptibility to fluconazole and clotrimazole between the pairs of vaginal and vulvar isolates were found for Candida albicans, Rhodotorula spp., and Nakaseomyces glabratus. The results suggest that different niches may impact the susceptibility profiles of the isolates, as well as their different clinical behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Zagalo Fernandes
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Cátia Filipa Caetano
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Carlos Gaspar
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit, Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Oliveira
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit, Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
| | | | - Joana Rolo
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Labfit, Health Products Research and Development Lda, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal
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Growth and Antifungal Resistance of the Pathogenic Yeast, Candida Albicans, in the Microgravity Environment of the International Space Station: An Aggregate of Multiple Flight Experiences. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11040283. [PMID: 33801697 PMCID: PMC8067245 DOI: 10.3390/life11040283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This report was designed to compare spaceflight-induced cellular and physiological adaptations of Candida albicans cultured in microgravity on the International Space Station across several payloads. C. albicans is a common opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for a variety of superficial infections as well as systemic and more severe infections in humans. Cumulatively, the propensity of this organism to be widespread through the population, the ability to produce disease in immunocompromised individuals, and the tendency to respond to environmental stress with characteristics associated with increased virulence, require a better understanding of the yeast response to microgravity for spaceflight crew safety. As such, the responses of this yeast cultivated during several missions using two in-flight culture bioreactors were analyzed and compared herein. In general, C. albicans had a slightly shorter generation time and higher growth propensity in microgravity as compared to terrestrial controls. Rates of cell filamentation differed between bioreactors, but were low and not significantly different between flight and terrestrial controls. Viable cells were retrieved and cultured, resulting in a colony morphology that was similar between cells cultivated in flight and in terrestrial control conditions, and in contrast to that previously observed in a ground-based microgravity analog system. Of importance, yeast demonstrated an increased resistance when challenged during spaceflight with the antifungal agent, amphotericin B. Similar levels of resistance were not observed when challenged with the functionally disparate antifungal drug caspofungin. In aggregate, yeast cells cultivated in microgravity demonstrated a subset of characteristics associated with virulence. In addition, and beyond the value of the specific responses of C. albicans to microgravity, this report includes an analysis of biological reproducibility across flight opportunities, compares two spaceflight hardware systems, and includes a summary of general flight and payload timelines.
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Biographical Feature: Franklin P. Koontz, Ph.D., D(ABMM), F(AAM). J Clin Microbiol 2020; 58:JCM.01975-19. [DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01975-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Frickmann H, Lakner A, Essig A, Poppert S. Rapid identification of yeast by fluorescencein situhybridisation from broth and blood cultures. Mycoses 2012; 55:521-31. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2012.02214.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Lakner A, Essig A, Frickmann H, Poppert S. Evaluation of fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) for the identification of Candida albicans in comparison with three phenotypic methods. Mycoses 2011; 55:e114-23. [PMID: 22126597 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2011.02154.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Severe Candida infections are increasing and are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Rapid and accurate differentiation of Candida albicans from non-C. albicans species is essential for therapeutic decisions. We therefore developed a fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) assay comprising previously described probes and a newly designed specific C. albicans probe/competitor probe combination. The FISH probes were first evaluated using 99 selected fungal strains covering 31 species, and a specificity between 96% and 100% and a sensitivity of 100%. The FISH assay was then applied to 110 clinical isolates in parallel with API32C, the chromogenic Candida ID agar, and determination of filamentous colony morphology. All tests produced highly reliable results. However, the Candida ID agar misidentified Candida dubliniensis as C. albicans. Determination of filamentous colony morphology allowed 100% reliable identification of C. albicans, but took 48 h. FISH allowed identification of clinical C. albicans isolates within 3 h with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. FISH was additionally applied to 48 blood cultures showing yeasts in the Gram stain and correctly identified all 33 cases of C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lakner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Ulm, Germany
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Sheth CC, Johnson E, Baker ME, Haynes K, Mühlschlegel FA. Phenotypic identification ofCandida albicansby growth on chocolate agar. Med Mycol 2005; 43:735-8. [PMID: 16422305 DOI: 10.1080/13693780500265998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we describe a simple method for the identification of Candida albicans in clinical samples. A total of 383 clinical isolates of Candida species were streaked onto chocolate agar and incubated for 48 h at 37 degrees C in the presence of an atmosphere of 6% CO2. All 208 of the C. albicans isolates tested, developed an easy to identify filamentous colony morphology. Of 175 other Candida species tested, 172 (98.3%) were distinguishable from C. albicans by their smooth colony morphology. Three isolates (1.7%) exhibited weak filamentation after prolonged incubation. Although not a routine medium in medical mycology a significant advantage of using chocolate agar lies in its use in clinical bacteriology laboratories for the isolation of fastidious bacteria. Implementation of the proposed method is applicable across a range of specimen types, thus allowing the direct identification of C. albicans in clinical samples. This simple method may allow a quicker entry into directed treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chirag C Sheth
- Department of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
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