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Salama EA, Elgammal Y, Wijeratne A, Lanman NA, Utturkar SM, Farhangian A, Li J, Meunier B, Hazbun TR, Seleem MN. Lansoprazole interferes with fungal respiration and acts synergistically with amphotericin B against multidrug-resistant Candida auris. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2322649. [PMID: 38431850 PMCID: PMC10911247 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2322649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Candida auris has emerged as a problematic fungal pathogen associated with high morbidity and mortality. Amphotericin B (AmB) is the most effective antifungal used to treat invasive fungal candidiasis, with resistance rarely observed among clinical isolates. However, C. auris possesses extraordinary resistant profiles against all available antifungal drugs, including AmB. In our pursuit of potential solutions, we screened a panel of 727 FDA-approved drugs. We identified the proton pump inhibitor lansoprazole (LNP) as a potent enhancer of AmB's activity against C. auris. LNP also potentiates the antifungal activity of AmB against other medically important species of Candida and Cryptococcus. Our investigations into the mechanism of action unveiled that LNP metabolite(s) interact with a crucial target in the mitochondrial respiratory chain (complex III, known as cytochrome bc1). This interaction increases oxidative stress within fungal cells. Our results demonstrated the critical role of an active respiratory function in the antifungal activity of LNP. Most importantly, LNP restored the efficacy of AmB in an immunocompromised mouse model, resulting in a 1.7-log (∼98%) CFU reduction in the burden of C. auris in the kidneys. Our findings strongly advocate for a comprehensive evaluation of LNP as a cytochrome bc1 inhibitor for combating drug-resistant C. auris infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab A. Salama
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Yehia Elgammal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Aruna Wijeratne
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Nadia A. Lanman
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Sagar M. Utturkar
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Atena Farhangian
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jianing Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Brigitte Meunier
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Tony R. Hazbun
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Mohamed N. Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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2
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Pinho S, Miranda IM, Costa-de-Oliveira S. Global Epidemiology of Invasive Infections by Uncommon Candida Species: A Systematic Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:558. [PMID: 39194884 DOI: 10.3390/jof10080558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Emerging and uncommon Candida species have been reported as an increasing cause of invasive Candida infections (ICI). We aim to systematize the global epidemiology associated with emergent uncommon Candida species responsible for invasive infections in adult patients. A systematic review (from 1 January 2001 to 28 February 2023) regarding epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological data associated to invasive Candida infections by uncommon Candida spp. were collected. In total, 1567 publications were identified, and 36 were selected according to inclusion criteria (45 cases). The chosen studies covered: C. auris (n = 21), C. haemulonii (n = 6), C. fermentati (n = 4), C. kefyr (n = 4), C. norvegensis (n = 3), C. nivariensis (n = 3), C. bracarensis (n = 1), C. duobushaemulonii (n = 1), C. blankii (n = 1), and C. khanbhai (n = 1). Over the recent years, there has been an increase in the number of invasive infections caused by uncommon Candida spp. Asia and Europe are the continents with the most reported cases. The challenges in strain identification and antifungal susceptibility interpretation were significant. The absence of clinical breakpoints for the susceptibility profile determination for uncommon Candida spp. makes interpretation and treatment options a clinical challenge. It is crucial that we focus on new and accessible microbiology techniques to make fast and accurate diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Pinho
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel M Miranda
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia Costa-de-Oliveira
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research-CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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3
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Mulet-Bayona JV, Cancino-Muñoz I, Salvador-García C, Tormo-Palop N, Guna-Serrano MDR, Ferrer-Gómez C, Melero-García M, González-Candelas F, Gimeno-Cardona C. Genotypic and phenotypic characterisation of a nosocomial outbreak of Candida auris in Spain during 5 years. Mycoses 2024; 67:e13776. [PMID: 39086009 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The investigation of Candida auris outbreaks is needed to provide insights into its population structure and transmission dynamics. We genotypically and phenotypically characterised a C. auris nosocomial outbreak occurred in Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia (CHGUV), Spain. METHODS Data and isolates were collected from CHGUV from September 2017 (first case) until September 2021. Thirty-five isolates, including one from an environmental source, were randomly selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS), and the genomes were analysed along with a database with 335 publicly available genomes, assigning them to one of the five major clades. In order to identify polymorphisms associated with drug resistance, we used the fully susceptible GCA_003014415.1 strain as reference sequence. Known mutations in genes ERG11 and FKS1 conferring resistance to fluconazole and echinocandins, respectively, were investigated. Isolates were classified into aggregating or non-aggregating. RESULTS All isolates belonged to clade III and were from an outbreak with a single origin. They clustered close to three publicly available genomes from a hospital from where the first patient was transferred, being the probable origin. The mutation VF125AL in the ERG11 gene, conferring resistance to fluconazole, was present in all the isolates and one isolate also carried the mutation S639Y in the FKS1 gene. All the isolates had a non-aggregating phenotype (potentially more virulent). CONCLUSIONS Isolates are genotypically related and phenotypically identical but one with resistance to echinocandins, which seems to indicate that they all belong to an outbreak originated from a single isolate, remaining largely invariable over the years. This result stresses the importance of implementing infection control practices as soon as the first case is detected or when a patient is transferred from a setting with known cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Vicente Mulet-Bayona
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Irving Cancino-Muñoz
- Unidad Mixta Infección y Salud Pública FISABIO-Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas, I2SysBio (CSIC-UV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Carme Salvador-García
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Tormo-Palop
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Del Remedio Guna-Serrano
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Departamento de Microbiología y Ecología, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carolina Ferrer-Gómez
- Servicio de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mercedes Melero-García
- Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Fernando González-Candelas
- Unidad Mixta Infección y Salud Pública FISABIO-Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Biología Integrativa de Sistemas, I2SysBio (CSIC-UV), Valencia, Spain
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Concepción Gimeno-Cardona
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Departamento de Microbiología y Ecología, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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4
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Rimoldi SG, Nodari R, Rizzo A, Tamoni A, Longobardi C, Pagani C, Grosso S, Salari F, Galimberti L, Olivieri P, Rizzardini G, Catena E, Antinori S, Comandatore F, Castelli A, Gismondo MR. First imported case of Candida auris infection in Milan, Italy: genomic characterisation. Infection 2024; 52:1633-1638. [PMID: 38557967 PMCID: PMC11289026 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-024-02232-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Candida auris, an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast, has been reported worldwide. In Italy, the first case was reported in 2019. We describe the first case of C. auris, imported from Greece, in Milan, using whole genome sequencing to characterise mutations associated with antifungal resistance. CASE PRESENTATION On October 2022 an 80-year-old Italian man was hospitalised in Greece. In the absence of clinical improvement, the patient was transferred to our hospital, in Italy, where blood culture resulted positive for C. auris. Despite therapy, the patient died of septic shock. In a phylogenetic analysis the genome was assigned to Clade I with strains from Kenya, United Arab Emirates and India. D1/D2 region resulted identical to a Greek strain, as for many other strains from different World regions, highlighting the diffusion of this strain. CONCLUSION Importation of C. auris from abroad has been previously described. We report the first case of C. auris imported into Italy from Greece, according to phylogenetic analysis. This case reinforces the need for monitoring critically ill hospitalised patients also for fungi and addresses the need for the standardisation of susceptibility testing and strategies for diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Giordana Rimoldi
- Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Riccardo Nodari
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi Paediatric Research Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Rizzo
- Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Tamoni
- Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Concetta Longobardi
- Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Pagani
- Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Grosso
- Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Salari
- Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Galimberti
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Olivieri
- Medical Direction Unit, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliano Rizzardini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Catena
- Anestesiology Unit, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Spinello Antinori
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Università di Milano, Via Giovanni Battista Grassi n° 74, 20157, Milan, Italy.
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesco Comandatore
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi Paediatric Research Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Maria Rita Gismondo
- Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Università di Milano, Via Giovanni Battista Grassi n° 74, 20157, Milan, Italy
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5
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Banik S, Ozay B, Trejo M, Zhu Y, Kanna C, Santellan C, Shaw B, Chandrasekaran S, Chaturvedi S, Vejar L, Chakravorty S, Alland D, Banada P. A simple and sensitive test for Candida auris colonization, surveillance, and infection control suitable for near patient use. J Clin Microbiol 2024; 62:e0052524. [PMID: 38888304 PMCID: PMC11250521 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00525-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen with a propensity to colonize humans and persist on environmental surfaces. C. auris invasive fungal disease is being increasingly identified in acute and long-term care settings. We have developed a prototype cartridge-based C. auris surveillance assay (CaurisSurV cartridge; "research use only") that includes integrated sample processing and nucleic acid amplification to detect C. auris from surveillance skin swabs in the GeneXpert instrument and is designed for point-of-care use. The assay limit of detection (LoD) in the skin swab matrix was 10.5 and 14.8 CFU/mL for non-aggregative (AR0388) and aggregative (AR0382) strains of C. auris, respectively. All five known clades of C. auris were detected at 2-3-5× (31.5-52.5 CFU/mL) the LoD. The assay was validated using a total of 85 clinical swab samples banked at two different institutions (University of California Los Angeles, CA and Wadsworth Center, NY). Compared to culture, sensitivity was 96.8% (30/31) and 100% (10/10) in the UCLA and Wadsworth cohorts, respectively, providing a combined sensitivity of 97.5% (40/41), and compared to PCR, the combined sensitivity was 92% (46/50). Specificity was 100% with both clinical (C. auris negative matrix, N = 31) and analytical (non-C. auris strains, N = 32) samples. An additional blinded study with N = 60 samples from Wadsworth Center, NY yielded 97% (29/30) sensitivity and 100% (28/28) specificity. We have developed a completely integrated, sensitive, specific, and 58-min prototype test, which can be used for routine surveillance of C. auris and might help prevent colonization and outbreaks in acute and chronic healthcare settings. IMPORTANCE This study has the potential to offer a better solution to healthcare providers at hospitals and long-term care facilities in their ongoing efforts for effective and timely control of Candida auris infection and hence quicker response for any potential future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukalyani Banik
- Center for Emerging Pathogens, Department of Medicine, Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Burcu Ozay
- Research and Development, Cepheid, Sunnyvale, California, USA
| | - Marisol Trejo
- UCLA DGSOM Pathology & Lab Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - YanChun Zhu
- Mycology laboratory, Wadsworth Center, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Charan Kanna
- Center for Emerging Pathogens, Department of Medicine, Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Cynthia Santellan
- UCLA DGSOM Pathology & Lab Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Bennett Shaw
- UCLA DGSOM Pathology & Lab Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | | | - Lindy Vejar
- Research and Development, Cepheid, Sunnyvale, California, USA
| | - Soumitesh Chakravorty
- Center for Emerging Pathogens, Department of Medicine, Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Research and Development, Cepheid, Sunnyvale, California, USA
| | - David Alland
- Center for Emerging Pathogens, Department of Medicine, Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Padmapriya Banada
- Center for Emerging Pathogens, Department of Medicine, Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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6
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Suphavilai C, Ko KKK, Lim KM, Tan MG, Boonsimma P, Chu JJK, Goh SS, Rajandran P, Lee LC, Tan KY, Shaik Ismail BB, Aung MK, Yang Y, Sim JXY, Venkatachalam I, Cherng BPZ, Spruijtenburg B, Chan KS, Oon LLE, Tan AL, Tan YE, Wijaya L, Tan BH, Ling ML, Koh TH, Meis JF, Tsui CKM, Nagarajan N. Detection and characterisation of a sixth Candida auris clade in Singapore: a genomic and phenotypic study. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024:S2666-5247(24)00101-0. [PMID: 39008997 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(24)00101-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris poses a serious threat to global public health due to its worldwide distribution, multidrug resistance, high transmissibility, propensity to cause outbreaks, and high mortality. We aimed to characterise three unusual C auris isolates detected in Singapore, and to determine whether they constitute a novel clade distinct from all previously known C auris clades (I-V). METHODS In this genotypic and phenotypic study, we characterised three C auris clinical isolates, which were cultured from epidemiologically unlinked inpatients at a large tertiary hospital in Singapore. The index isolate was detected in April, 2023. We performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and obtained hybrid assemblies of these C auris isolates. The complete genomes were compared with representative genomes of all known C auris clades. To provide a global context, 3651 international WGS data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database were included in a high-resolution single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. Antifungal susceptibility testing was done and antifungal resistance genes, mating-type locus, and chromosomal rearrangements were characterised from the WGS data of the three investigated isolates. We further implemented Bayesian logistic regression models to classify isolates into known clades and simulate the automatic detection of isolates belonging to novel clades as their WGS data became available. FINDINGS The three investigated isolates were separated by at least 37 000 SNPs (range 37 000-236 900) from all existing C auris clades. These isolates had opposite mating-type allele and different chromosomal rearrangements when compared with their closest clade IV relatives. The isolates were susceptible to all tested antifungals. Therefore, we propose that these isolates represent a new clade of C auris, clade VI. Furthermore, an independent WGS dataset from Bangladesh, accessed via the NCBI Sequence Read Archive, was found to belong to this new clade. As a proof-of-concept, our Bayesian logistic regression model was able to flag these outlier genomes as a potential new clade. INTERPRETATION The discovery of a new C auris clade in Singapore and Bangladesh in the Indomalayan zone, showing a close relationship to clade IV members most commonly found in South America, highlights the unknown genetic diversity and origin of C auris, particularly in under-resourced regions. Active surveillance in clinical settings, along with effective sequencing strategies and downstream analysis, will be essential in the identification of novel strains, tracking of transmission, and containment of adverse clinical effects of C auris infections. FUNDING Duke-NUS Academic Medical Center Nurturing Clinician Researcher Scheme, and the Genedant-GIS Innovation Program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayaporn Suphavilai
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Karrie Kwan Ki Ko
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; Department of Microbiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Kar Mun Lim
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Mei Gie Tan
- Department of Microbiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Patipan Boonsimma
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Joash Jun Keat Chu
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Sui Sin Goh
- Department of Microbiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Lai Chee Lee
- Department of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Kwee Yuen Tan
- Department of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - May Kyawt Aung
- Department of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Jean Xiang Ying Sim
- Department of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Indumathi Venkatachalam
- Department of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Benjamin Pei Zhi Cherng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Bram Spruijtenburg
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Kian Sing Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Lynette Lin Ean Oon
- Department of Microbiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Ai Ling Tan
- Department of Microbiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Yen Ee Tan
- Department of Microbiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Limin Wijaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Ban Hock Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Moi Lin Ling
- Department of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Tse Hsien Koh
- Department of Microbiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Institute of Translational Research, Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Clement Kin Ming Tsui
- Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Niranjan Nagarajan
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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7
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Poulopoulou A, Sidiropoulou A, Sarmourli T, Zachrou E, Michailidou C, Zarras C, Vagdatli E, Massa E, Mouloudi E, Pyrpasopoulou A, Meletis G, Protonotariou E, Skoura L, Metallidis S, Karampatakis T, Katsifa E, Nikopoulou A, Louka A, Rizou A, Arvaniti K, Kouvelis V, Borman A, Roilides E, Vyzantiadis TA. Candida auris: Outbreak, surveillance and epidemiological monitoring in Northern Greece. Med Mycol 2024; 62:myae062. [PMID: 38877671 PMCID: PMC11232515 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen associated with multi-drug resistance rates and widespread outbreaks in hospitals and healthcare units worldwide. Sequencing studies have revealed that different clonal lineages of the fungus seem to be prevalent among distinct geographical sites. The first case of C. auris in Northern Greece was reported in Thessaloniki in October 2022, almost 2 years after the first isolation in Greece (Athens 2019). The Mycology Laboratory of the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki stands as the reference laboratory for fungal diseases in Northern Greece and a meticulous search for the yeast, in plenty of suspicious samples, has been run since 2019 in the Lab as well as a retrospective analysis of all its yeasts' collection, back to 2008, with negative results for the presence of C. auris. Here, are presented the findings concerning the outbreak and surveillance of C. auris in Northern Greece, mainly the region of Thessaloniki and the broader area of Macedonia, from October 2022 until August 2023. The isolates from Northern Greece continue to fall in Clade I and present with an almost equal and stable sensitivity profile until now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterina Poulopoulou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
| | - Anna Sidiropoulou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
| | - Theopisti Sarmourli
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
| | - Evaggelia Zachrou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
| | - Chrysi Michailidou
- Department of Biopathology, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Charalampos Zarras
- Department of Biopathology, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Eleni Vagdatli
- Department of Biopathology, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Eleni Massa
- ICU, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Eleni Mouloudi
- ICU, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Athina Pyrpasopoulou
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Georgios Meletis
- Department of Microbiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636, Greece
| | - Efthymia Protonotariou
- Department of Microbiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636, Greece
| | - Lemonia Skoura
- Department of Microbiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636, Greece
| | - Simeon Metallidis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Division, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636, Greece
| | - Theodoros Karampatakis
- Department of Microbiology, G. Papanikolaou General Hospital, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | - Eleni Katsifa
- Department of Microbiology, G. Papanikolaou General Hospital, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | - Anna Nikopoulou
- Infectious Disease Unit, G. Papanikolaou General Hospital, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | - Alexandra Louka
- Department of Microbiology, Mamatsio General Hospital, Kozani 50100, Greece
| | - Artemisia Rizou
- Department of Microbiology, Mamatsio General Hospital, Kozani 50100, Greece
| | | | - Vassili Kouvelis
- Section of Genetics & Biotechnology, Department of Biology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772, Greece
| | - Andrew Borman
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, UK Health Security Agency, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Emmanuel Roilides
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
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8
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Siopi M, Georgiou PC, Paranos P, Beredaki MI, Tarpatzi A, Kalogeropoulou E, Damianidou S, Vasilakopoulou A, Karakosta P, Pournaras S, Meletiadis J. Increase in candidemia cases and emergence of fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis and C. auris isolates in a tertiary care academic hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, Greece, 2020 to 2023. Euro Surveill 2024; 29:2300661. [PMID: 39027938 PMCID: PMC11258949 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2024.29.29.2300661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of Candida auris have changed the epidemiological landscape of candidaemia worldwide.AimWe compared the epidemiological trends of candidaemia in a Greek tertiary academic hospital before (2009-2018) and during the early COVID-19 (2020-2021) and late COVID-19/early post-pandemic (2022-2023) era.MethodsIncidence rates, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility profile and antifungal consumption were recorded, and one-way ANOVA or Fisher's exact test performed. Species were identified by MALDI-ToF MS, and in vitro susceptibility determined with CLSI M27-Ed4 for C. auris and the EUCAST-E.DEF 7.3.2 for other Candida spp.ResultsIn total, 370 candidaemia episodes were recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection incidence (2.0 episodes/10,000 hospital bed days before, 3.9 during the early and 5.1 during the late COVID-19 era, p < 0.0001), C. auris (0%, 9% and 33%, p < 0.0001) and fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis species complex (SC) (20%, 24% and 33%, p = 0.06) infections increased over time, with the latter not associated with increase in fluconazole/voriconazole consumption. A significant increase over time was observed in fluconazole-resistant isolates regardless of species (8%, 17% and 41%, p < 0.0001). Resistance to amphotericin B or echinocandins was not recorded, with the exception of a single pan-echinocandin-resistant C. auris strain.ConclusionCandidaemia incidence nearly tripled during the COVID-19 era, with C. auris among the major causative agents and increasing fluconazole resistance in C. parapsilosis SC. Almost half of Candida isolates were fluconazole-resistant, underscoring the need for increased awareness and strict implementation of infection control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Siopi
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota-Christina Georgiou
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paschalis Paranos
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria-Ioanna Beredaki
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Tarpatzi
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kalogeropoulou
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Damianidou
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Vasilakopoulou
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Polyxeni Karakosta
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros Pournaras
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Joseph Meletiadis
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, "Attikon" University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Curtoni A, Pastrone L, Cordovana M, Bondi A, Piccinini G, Genco M, Bottino P, Polizzi C, Cavallo L, Mandras N, Corcione S, Montrucchio G, Brazzi L, Costa C. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Application for Candida auris Outbreak Typing in a Referral Intensive Care Unit: Phylogenetic Analysis and Clustering Cut-Off Definition. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1312. [PMID: 39065082 PMCID: PMC11279149 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently Candida auris has emerged as a multi-resistant fungal pathogen, with a significant clinical impact, and is able to persist for a long time on human skin and hospital environments. It is a critical issue on the WHO fungal priority list and therefore it is fundamental to reinforce hospital surveillance protocols to limit nosocomial outbreaks. The purpose of this study was to apply Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among isolated strains from a C. auris outbreak at the University Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary University hospital in Turin (Italy). To calculate a clustering cut-off, intra- and inter-isolate, distance values were analysed. The data showed the presence of a major Alfa cluster and a minor Beta cluster with a defined C. auris clustering cut-off. The results were validated by an external C. auris strain and Principal Component and Linear Discriminant Analyses. The application of FT-IR technology allowed to obtain important information about the phylogenetic relationships between the analysed strains, defining for the first time a "not WGS-based" clustering cut-off with a statistical-mathematical approach. FT-IR could represent a valid alternative to molecular methods for the rapid and cost-saving typing of C. auris strains with important clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Curtoni
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.); (M.G.); (P.B.); (C.P.); (L.C.); (N.M.); (C.C.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Lisa Pastrone
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.); (M.G.); (P.B.); (C.P.); (L.C.); (N.M.); (C.C.)
| | | | - Alessandro Bondi
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.); (M.G.); (P.B.); (C.P.); (L.C.); (N.M.); (C.C.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giorgia Piccinini
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.); (M.G.); (P.B.); (C.P.); (L.C.); (N.M.); (C.C.)
- PhD National Programme in One Health Approaches to Infectious Diseases and Life Science Research, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Mattia Genco
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.); (M.G.); (P.B.); (C.P.); (L.C.); (N.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Paolo Bottino
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.); (M.G.); (P.B.); (C.P.); (L.C.); (N.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Carlotta Polizzi
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.); (M.G.); (P.B.); (C.P.); (L.C.); (N.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Lorenza Cavallo
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.); (M.G.); (P.B.); (C.P.); (L.C.); (N.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Narcisa Mandras
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.); (M.G.); (P.B.); (C.P.); (L.C.); (N.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Silvia Corcione
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
- School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Giorgia Montrucchio
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.M.); (L.B.)
- Intensive Care and Emergency, Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Brazzi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.M.); (L.B.)
- Intensive Care and Emergency, Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Costa
- Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (G.P.); (M.G.); (P.B.); (C.P.); (L.C.); (N.M.); (C.C.)
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
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Rhodes J, Jacobs J, Dennis EK, Manjari SR, Banavali N, Marlow R, Rokebul MA, Chaturvedi S, Chaturvedi V. What makes Candida auris pan-drug resistant? Integrative insights from genomic, transcriptomic, and phenomic analysis of clinical strains resistant to all four major classes of antifungal drugs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.18.599548. [PMID: 38948750 PMCID: PMC11212996 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.18.599548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The global epidemic of drug-resistant Candida auris continues unabated. We do not know what caused the unprecedented appearance of pan-drug resistant (PDR) Candida auris strains in a hospitalized patient in New York; the initial report highlighted both known and unique mutations in the prominent gene targets of azoles, amphotericin B, echinocandins, and flucytosine antifungal drugs. However, the factors that allow C. auris to acquire multi-drug resistance and pan-drug resistance are not known. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic, and phenomic analysis to better understand PDR C. auris . Among 1,570 genetic variants in drug-resistant C. auris , 299 were unique to PDR strains. The whole genome sequencing results suggested perturbations in genes associated with nucleotide biosynthesis, mRNA processing, and nuclear export of mRNA. Whole transcriptome sequencing of PDR C. auris revealed two genes to be significantly differentially expressed - a DNA repair protein and DNA replication-dependent chromatin assembly factor 1. Of 59 novel transcripts, 12 candidate transcripts had no known homology among expressed transcripts found in other organisms. We observed no fitness defects among multi-drug resistant (MDR) and PDR C. auris strains grown in nutrient-deficient or - enriched media at different temperatures. Phenotypic profiling revealed wider adaptability to nitrogenous nutrients with an uptick in the utilization of substrates critical in upper glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle. Structural modelling of 33-amino acid deletion in the gene for uracil phosphoribosyl transferase suggested an alternate route in C. auris to generate uracil monophosphate that does not accommodate 5-fluorouracil as a substrate. Overall, we find evidence of metabolic adaptations in MDR and PDR C. auris in response to antifungal drug lethality without deleterious fitness costs.
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11
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Silva I, Miranda IM, Costa-de-Oliveira S. Potential Environmental Reservoirs of Candida auris: A Systematic Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:336. [PMID: 38786691 PMCID: PMC11122228 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, poses significant challenges in healthcare settings worldwide. Understanding its environmental reservoirs is crucial for effective control strategies. This systematic review aimed to review the literature regarding the natural and environmental reservoirs of C. auris. Following the PRISMA guidelines, published studies until October 2023 were searched in three databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Information regarding the origin, sampling procedure, methods for laboratory identification, and antifungal susceptibility was collected and analyzed. Thirty-three studies published between 2016 and 2023 in 15 countries were included and analyzed. C. auris was detected in various environments, including wastewater treatment plants, hospital patient care surfaces, and natural environments such as salt marshes, sand, seawater, estuaries, apples, and dogs. Detection methods varied, with molecular techniques often used alongside culture. Susceptibility profiles revealed resistance patterns. Phylogenetic studies highlight the potential of environmental strains to influence clinical infections. Despite methodological heterogeneity, this review provides valuable information for future research and highlights the need for standardized sampling and detection protocols to mitigate C. auris transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Silva
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Isabel M. Miranda
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Sofia Costa-de-Oliveira
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research—CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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12
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Jones CR, Neill C, Borman AM, Budd EL, Cummins M, Fry C, Guy RL, Jeffery K, Johnson EM, Manuel R, Mirfenderesky M, Moore G, Patel B, Schelenz S, Staniforth K, Taori SK, Brown CS. The laboratory investigation, management, and infection prevention and control of Candida auris: a narrative review to inform the 2024 national guidance update in England. J Med Microbiol 2024; 73:001820. [PMID: 38771623 PMCID: PMC11165919 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergent fungal pathogen Candida auris is increasingly recognised as an important cause of healthcare-associated infections globally. It is highly transmissible, adaptable, and persistent, resulting in an organism with significant outbreak potential that risks devastating consequences. Progress in the ability to identify C. auris in clinical specimens is encouraging, but laboratory diagnostic capacity and surveillance systems are lacking in many countries. Intrinsic resistance to commonly used antifungals, combined with the ability to rapidly acquire resistance to therapy, substantially restricts treatment options and novel agents are desperately needed. Despite this, outbreaks can be interrupted, and mortality avoided or minimised, through the application of rigorous infection prevention and control measures with an increasing evidence base. This review provides an update on epidemiology, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, risk factors, identification and typing, resistance profiles, treatment, detection of colonisation, and infection prevention and control measures for C. auris. This review has informed a planned 2024 update to the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance on the laboratory investigation, management, and infection prevention and control of Candida auris. A multidisciplinary response is needed to control C. auris transmission in a healthcare setting and should emphasise outbreak preparedness and response, rapid contact tracing and isolation or cohorting of patients and staff, strict hand hygiene and other infection prevention and control measures, dedicated or single-use equipment, appropriate disinfection, and effective communication concerning patient transfers and discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Jones
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU, and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Claire Neill
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU, and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Andrew M. Borman
- UKHSA Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Infection Services, UKHSA South West Laboratory, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK
| | - Emma L. Budd
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU, and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Martina Cummins
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Carole Fry
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU, and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Rebecca L. Guy
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU, and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Katie Jeffery
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Elizabeth M. Johnson
- UKHSA Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Infection Services, UKHSA South West Laboratory, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK
| | - Rohini Manuel
- Public Health Laboratory London, Science Group, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | | | - Ginny Moore
- Research and Evaluation, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - Bharat Patel
- Public Health Laboratory London, Science Group, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Silke Schelenz
- Department of Microbiology, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Karren Staniforth
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU, and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | | | - Colin S. Brown
- HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU, and Sepsis Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, Imperial College London, London, UK
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13
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Melinte V, Tudor AD, Bujoi AG, Radu MA, Văcăriou MC, Cismaru IM, Holban TS, Mîrzan CL, Popescu R, Ciupan RC, Baciu A, Moraru OE, Popa-Cherecheanu M, Gheorghiță V. Candida auris Outbreak in a Multidisciplinary Hospital in Romania during the Post-Pandemic Era: Potential Solutions and Challenges in Surveillance and Epidemiological Control. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:325. [PMID: 38667001 PMCID: PMC11047361 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a newly emerging yeast, which is raising public health concerns due to its outbreak potential, lack of protocols for decontamination and isolation of patients or contacts, increased resistance to common antifungals, and associated high mortality. This research aimed to describe the challenges related to identifying the outbreak, limiting further contamination, and treating affected individuals. We retrospectively analyzed all cases of C. auris detected between October 2022 and August 2023, but our investigation focused on a three-month-long outbreak in the department of cardio-vascular surgery and the related intensive care unit. Along with isolated cases in different wards, we identified 13 patients who became infected or colonized in the same area and time, even though the epidemiological link could only be traced in 10 patients, according to the epidemiologic investigation. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the substantial challenge encountered in clinical practice when attempting to diagnose and limit the spread of an outbreak. Therefore, it is crucial to promptly apply contact precaution measures and appropriate environmental cleaning, from the first positive case detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Melinte
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (O.E.M.); (M.P.-C.); (V.G.)
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Alexandra Daniela Tudor
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Adrian Georgian Bujoi
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Maria-Adelina Radu
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (O.E.M.); (M.P.-C.); (V.G.)
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Maria Cristina Văcăriou
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Ioana Miriana Cismaru
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Tiberiu Sebastian Holban
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Carmen Luminița Mîrzan
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Ruxandra Popescu
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Robert Cătălin Ciupan
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Alin Baciu
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Oriana Elena Moraru
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (O.E.M.); (M.P.-C.); (V.G.)
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Matei Popa-Cherecheanu
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (O.E.M.); (M.P.-C.); (V.G.)
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Valeriu Gheorghiță
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.-A.R.); (O.E.M.); (M.P.-C.); (V.G.)
- “Agrippa Ionescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (A.D.T.); (A.G.B.); (M.C.V.); (I.M.C.); (T.S.H.); (C.L.M.); (R.P.); (R.C.C.); (A.B.)
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14
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Jakab Á, Kovács F, Balla N, Nagy-Köteles C, Ragyák Á, Nagy F, Borman AM, Majoros L, Kovács R. Comparative transcriptional analysis of Candida auris biofilms following farnesol and tyrosol treatment. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0227823. [PMID: 38440972 PMCID: PMC10986546 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02278-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is frequently associated with biofilm-related invasive infections. The resistant profile of these biofilms necessitates innovative therapeutic options, where quorum sensing may be a potential target. Farnesol and tyrosol are two fungal quorum-sensing molecules with antifungal effects at supraphysiological concentrations. Here, we performed genome-wide transcript profiling with C. auris biofilms following farnesol or tyrosol exposure using transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq). Since transition metals play a central role in fungal virulence and biofilm formation, levels of intracellular calcium, magnesium, and iron were determined following farnesol or tyrosol treatment using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Farnesol caused an 89.9% and 73.8% significant reduction in the calcium and magnesium content, respectively, whereas tyrosol resulted in 82.6%, 76.6%, and 81.2% decrease in the calcium, magnesium, and iron content, respectively, compared to the control. Genes involved in biofilm events, glycolysis, ergosterol biosynthesis, fatty acid oxidation, iron metabolism, and autophagy were primarily affected in treated cells. To prove ergosterol quorum-sensing molecule interactions, microdilution-based susceptibility testing was performed, where the complexation of farnesol, but not tyrosol, with ergosterol was impeded in the presence of exogenous ergosterol, resulting in a minimum inhibitory concentration increase in the quorum-sensing molecules. This study revealed several farnesol- and tyrosol-specific responses, which will contribute to the development of alternative therapies against C. auris biofilms. IMPORTANCE Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, which is frequently associated with biofilm-related infections. Candida-derived quorum-sensing molecules (farnesol and tyrosol) play a pivotal role in the regulation of fungal morphogenesis and biofilm development. Furthermore, they may have remarkable anti-biofilm effects, especially at supraphysiological concentrations. Innovative therapeutic approaches interfering with quorum sensing may be a promising future strategy against C. auris biofilms; however, limited data are currently available concerning farnesol-induced and tyrosol-related molecular effects in C. auris. Here, we detected several genes involved in biofilm events, glycolysis, ergosterol biosynthesis, fatty acid oxidation, iron metabolism, and autophagy, which were primarily influenced following farnesol or tyrosol exposure. Moreover, calcium, magnesium, and iron homeostasis were also significantly affected. These results reveal those molecular and physiological events, which may support the development of novel therapeutic approaches against C. auris biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ágnes Jakab
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Fruzsina Kovács
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Noémi Balla
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Csaba Nagy-Köteles
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ágota Ragyák
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Agilent Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Fruzsina Nagy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Andrew M. Borman
- UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, UK Health Security Agency, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRCCMM), University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - László Majoros
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Renátó Kovács
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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15
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Leonhard SE, Chong GM, Foudraine DE, Bode LGM, Croughs P, Popping S, Schaftenaar E, Klaassen CHW, Severin JA. Proposal for a screening protocol for Candida auris colonization. J Hosp Infect 2024; 146:31-36. [PMID: 38286238 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast which can cause severe infection in hospitalized patients. Since its first detection in 2009, C. auris has spread globally. The control and elimination of this pathogen in a hospital setting is particularly challenging because of its ability to form biofilms, allowing for long-term patient colonization and persistence in the environment. Identification of C. auris from cultures is difficult due to the morphologic similarities to other yeasts, its slow growth, and the low culture sensitivity when using standard agars and temperatures. AIM We have developed a screening protocol for C. auris colonization using an in-house-developed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), combined with confirmatory culture in optimized conditions. METHODS C. auris-specific primers and probe were developed, targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and specificity was confirmed in silico using the BLAST tool. The PCR was validated using a panel of 12 C. auris isolates and 103 isolates from 22 other Candida species and was shown to be 100% accurate. The limit of detection of the assay was determined at approximately four cells per PCR. FINDINGS C. auris screening was introduced on February 15th, 2023, and was used for patients who had been admitted to a healthcare facility abroad in the two months prior to admission to our hospital. The screening protocol included swabs from nose, throat, rectum, axilla, and groin. In the first eight months, 199 patients were screened and seven were found positive (4%). CONCLUSION Our proposed screening protocol may contribute to control C. auris in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Leonhard
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G M Chong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D E Foudraine
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L G M Bode
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P Croughs
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S Popping
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E Schaftenaar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - C H W Klaassen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J A Severin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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16
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Rapti V, Iliopoulou K, Poulakou G. The Gordian Knot of C. auris: If You Cannot Cut It, Prevent It. Pathogens 2023; 12:1444. [PMID: 38133327 PMCID: PMC10747958 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its first description in 2009, Candida auris has, so far, resulted in large hospital outbreaks worldwide and is considered an emerging global public health threat. Exceptionally for yeast, it is gifted with a profoundly worrying invasive potential and high inter-patient transmissibility. At the same time, it is capable of colonizing and persisting in both patients and hospital settings for prolonged periods of time, thus creating a vicious cycle of acquisition, spreading, and infection. It exhibits various virulence qualities and thermotolerance, osmotolerance, filamentation, biofilm formation and hydrolytic enzyme production, which are mainly implicated in its pathogenesis. Owing to its unfavorable profile of resistance to diverse antifungal agents and the lack of effective treatment options, the implementation of robust infection prevention and control (IPC) practices is crucial for controlling and minimizing intra-hospital transmission of C. auris. Rapid and accurate microbiological identification, adherence to hand hygiene, use of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), proper handling of catheters and implantable devices, contact isolation, periodical environmental decontamination, targeted screening, implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs and communication between healthcare facilities about residents' C. auris colonization status are recognized as coherent strategies for preventing its spread. Current knowledge on C. auris epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and its mechanisms of pathogenicity are summarized in the present review and a comprehensive overview of IPC practices ensuring yeast prevention is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Rapti
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Garyfallia Poulakou
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
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17
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Jusuf S, Dong PT. Chromophore-Targeting Precision Antimicrobial Phototherapy. Cells 2023; 12:2664. [PMID: 37998399 PMCID: PMC10670386 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Phototherapy, encompassing the utilization of both natural and artificial light, has emerged as a dependable and non-invasive strategy for addressing a diverse range of illnesses, diseases, and infections. This therapeutic approach, primarily known for its efficacy in treating skin infections, such as herpes and acne lesions, involves the synergistic use of specific light wavelengths and photosensitizers, like methylene blue. Photodynamic therapy, as it is termed, relies on the generation of antimicrobial reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the interaction between light and externally applied photosensitizers. Recent research, however, has highlighted the intrinsic antimicrobial properties of light itself, marking a paradigm shift in focus from exogenous agents to the inherent photosensitivity of molecules found naturally within pathogens. Chemical analyses have identified specific organic molecular structures and systems, including protoporphyrins and conjugated C=C bonds, as pivotal components in molecular photosensitivity. Given the prevalence of these systems in organic life forms, there is an urgent need to investigate the potential impact of phototherapy on individual molecules expressed within pathogens and discern their contributions to the antimicrobial effects of light. This review delves into the recently unveiled key molecular targets of phototherapy, offering insights into their potential downstream implications and therapeutic applications. By shedding light on these fundamental molecular mechanisms, we aim to advance our understanding of phototherapy's broader therapeutic potential and contribute to the development of innovative treatments for a wide array of microbial infections and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Jusuf
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Pu-Ting Dong
- Department of Microbiology, The Forsyth Institute, Boston, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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18
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Novy E, Roger C, Roberts JA, Cotta MO. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations for antifungal therapy optimisation in the treatment of intra-abdominal candidiasis. Crit Care 2023; 27:449. [PMID: 37981676 PMCID: PMC10659066 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04742-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC) is one of the most common of invasive candidiasis observed in critically ill patients. It is associated with high mortality, with up to 50% of deaths attributable to delays in source control and/or the introduction of antifungal therapy. Currently, there is no comprehensive guidance on optimising antifungal dosing in the treatment of IAC among the critically ill. However, this form of abdominal sepsis presents specific pharmacokinetic (PK) alterations and pharmacodynamic (PD) challenges that risk suboptimal antifungal exposure at the site of infection in critically ill patients. This review aims to describe the peculiarities of IAC from both PK and PD perspectives, advocating an individualized approach to antifungal dosing. Additionally, all current PK/PD studies relating to IAC are reviewed in terms of strength and limitations, so that core elements for the basis of future research can be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Novy
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital Campus Herston, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Peri-Operative Medicine, University Hospital of Nancy, Nancy, France
- Université de Lorraine, SIMPA, 54500, Nancy, France
| | - Claire Roger
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, Pain and Emergency Medicine, Nimes University Hospital, Place du Professeur Robert Debré, 30029, Nîmes Cedex 9, France
- UR UM103 IMAGINE, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jason A Roberts
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital Campus Herston, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, Pain and Emergency Medicine, Nimes University Hospital, Place du Professeur Robert Debré, 30029, Nîmes Cedex 9, France.
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine and Pharmacy, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- Herston Infectious Diseases Institute (HeIDI), Metro North Health, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Menino Osbert Cotta
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital Campus Herston, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia
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19
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Babler K, Sharkey M, Arenas S, Amirali A, Beaver C, Comerford S, Goodman K, Grills G, Holung M, Kobetz E, Laine J, Lamar W, Mason C, Pronty D, Reding B, Schürer S, Schaefer Solle N, Stevenson M, Vidović D, Solo-Gabriele H, Shukla B. Detection of the clinically persistent, pathogenic yeast spp. Candida auris from hospital and municipal wastewater in Miami-Dade County, Florida. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165459. [PMID: 37442462 PMCID: PMC10543605 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The use of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) for detecting pathogens within communities has been growing since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with early efforts investigating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in wastewater. Recent efforts have shed light on the utilization of WBS for alternative targets, such as fungal pathogens, like Candida auris, in efforts to expand the technology to assess non-viral targets. The objective of this study was to extend workflows developed for SARS-CoV-2 quantification to evaluate whether C. auris can be recovered from wastewater, inclusive of effluent from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and from a hospital with known numbers of patients colonized with C. auris. Measurements of C. auris in wastewater focused on culture-based methods and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results showed that C. auris can be cultured from wastewater and that levels detected by qPCR were higher in the hospital wastewater compared to the wastewater from the WWTP, suggesting either dilution or degradation of this pathogenic yeast at downstream collection points. The results from this study illustrate that WBS can extend beyond SARS-CoV-2 monitoring to evaluate additional non-viral pathogenic targets and demonstrates that C. auris isolated from wastewater is competent to replicate in vitro using fungal-specific culture media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Babler
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Mark Sharkey
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Sebastian Arenas
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ayaaz Amirali
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Cynthia Beaver
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Samuel Comerford
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Kenneth Goodman
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Institute for Data Science & Computing, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - George Grills
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Michelle Holung
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Erin Kobetz
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jennifer Laine
- Environmental Health and Safety, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Walter Lamar
- Division of Occupational Health, Safety & Compliance, University of Miami Health System, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Christopher Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, NY 10021, USA; The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA; The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Darryl Pronty
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Brian Reding
- Environmental Health and Safety, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Stephan Schürer
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Institute for Data Science & Computing, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Natasha Schaefer Solle
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Mario Stevenson
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Dusica Vidović
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Helena Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Bhavarth Shukla
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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20
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Marschall J, Snyders RE, Sax H, Newland JG, Guimarães T, Kwon JH. Perspectives on research needs in healthcare epidemiology and antimicrobial stewardship: what's on the horizon - Part I. ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP & HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY : ASHE 2023; 3:e199. [PMID: 38028931 PMCID: PMC10654935 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2023.473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
In this overview, we articulate research needs and opportunities in the field of infection prevention that have been identified from insights gained during operative infection prevention work, our own research in healthcare epidemiology, and from reviewing the literature. The 10 areas of research need are: 1) transmissions and interruptions, 2) personal protective equipment and other safety issues in occupational health, 3) climate change and other crises, 4) device, diagnostic, and antimicrobial stewardship, 5) implementation and de-implementation, 6) health care outside the acute care hospital, 7) low- and middle-income countries, 8) networking with the "neighbors", 9) novel research methodologies, and 10) the future state of surveillance. An introduction and chapters 1-5 are presented in part I of the article, and chapters 6-10 and the discussion in part II. There are many barriers to advancing the field, such as finding and motivating the future IP workforce including professionals interested in conducting research, a constant confrontation with challenges and crises, the difficulty of performing studies in a complex environment, the relative lack of adequate incentives and funding streams, and how to disseminate and validate the often very local quality improvement projects. Addressing research gaps now (i.e., in the postpandemic phase) will make healthcare systems more resilient when facing future crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Marschall
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- BJC Healthcare, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Hugo Sax
- Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jason G. Newland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Thais Guimarães
- Infection Control Department, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jennie H. Kwon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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21
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Arendrup MC, Arikan-Akdagli S, Jørgensen KM, Barac A, Steinmann J, Toscano C, Arsenijevic VA, Sartor A, Lass-Flörl C, Hamprecht A, Matos T, Rogers BRS, Quiles I, Buil J, Özenci V, Krause R, Bassetti M, Loughlin L, Denis B, Grancini A, White PL, Lagrou K, Willinger B, Rautemaa-Richardson R, Hamal P, Ener B, Unalan-Altintop T, Evren E, Hilmioglu-Polat S, Oz Y, Ozyurt OK, Aydin F, Růžička F, Meijer EFJ, Gangneux JP, Lockhart DEA, Khanna N, Logan C, Scharmann U, Desoubeaux G, Roilides E, Talento AF, van Dijk K, Koehler P, Salmanton-García J, Cornely OA, Hoenigl M. European candidaemia is characterised by notable differential epidemiology and susceptibility pattern: Results from the ECMM Candida III study. J Infect 2023; 87:428-437. [PMID: 37549695 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to assess Candida spp. distribution and antifungal resistance of candidaemia across Europe. Isolates were collected as part of the third ECMM Candida European multicentre observational study, conducted from 01 to 07-07-2018 to 31-03-2022. Each centre (maximum number/country determined by population size) included ∼10 consecutive cases. Isolates were referred to central laboratories and identified by morphology and MALDI-TOF, supplemented by ITS-sequencing when needed. EUCAST MICs were determined for five antifungals. fks sequencing was performed for echinocandin resistant isolates. The 399 isolates from 41 centres in 17 countries included C. albicans (47.1%), C. glabrata (22.3%), C. parapsilosis (15.0%), C. tropicalis (6.3%), C. dubliniensis and C. krusei (2.3% each) and other species (4.8%). Austria had the highest C. albicans proportion (77%), Czech Republic, France and UK the highest C. glabrata proportions (25-33%) while Italy and Turkey had the highest C. parapsilosis proportions (24-26%). All isolates were amphotericin B susceptible. Fluconazole resistance was found in 4% C. tropicalis, 12% C. glabrata (from six countries across Europe), 17% C. parapsilosis (from Greece, Italy, and Turkey) and 20% other Candida spp. Four isolates were anidulafungin and micafungin resistant/non-wild-type and five resistant to micafungin only. Three/3 and 2/5 of these were sequenced and harboured fks-alterations including a novel L657W in C. parapsilosis. The epidemiology varied among centres and countries. Acquired echinocandin resistance was rare but included differential susceptibility to anidulafungin and micafungin, and resistant C. parapsilosis. Fluconazole and voriconazole cross-resistance was common in C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis but with different geographical prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Sevtap Arikan-Akdagli
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Aleksandra Barac
- Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jörg Steinmann
- Institute for Clincal Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Klinikum Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Cristina Toscano
- Microbiology Laboratory, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Valentina Arsic Arsenijevic
- Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Mycology Reference Laboratory (MMRL), Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Assunta Sartor
- SC Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Friuli Centrale University Health Authority, Udin, Italy
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Axel Hamprecht
- University of Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Cologne, Germany; University of Oldenburg, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Virology, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Tadeja Matos
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Benedict R S Rogers
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Inmaculada Quiles
- Department of Microbiology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jochem Buil
- Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ), Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Volkan Özenci
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robert Krause
- Biotech Med, Graz, Austria; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Matteo Bassetti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, Genoa, Italy; Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Loughlin
- Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Blandine Denis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Fernand Widal, Lariboisière, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Anna Grancini
- U.O.S Microbiology - Analysis Laboratory, IRCCS Foundation, Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - P Lewis White
- Public Health Wales Microbiology Cardiff and Cardiff University School of Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Laboratory Medicine and National Reference Center for Mycosis University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Birgit Willinger
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Riina Rautemaa-Richardson
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester and Department of Infectious Diseases, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom; Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Petr Hamal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Beyza Ener
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Bursa Uludağ University Medical School, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Tugce Unalan-Altintop
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ebru Evren
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Ankara University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Yasemin Oz
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical School, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Koyuncu Ozyurt
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Akdeniz University Medical School, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Faruk Aydin
- KTÜ Tıp Fakültesi Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji AbD, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Filip Růžička
- Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine and St. Anne's Faculty Hospital, Department of Microbiology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eelco F J Meijer
- Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital (CWZ), Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Center of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/CWZ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jean Pierre Gangneux
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Deborah E A Lockhart
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom; Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Khanna
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Clare Logan
- Clinical Infection Unit, St Georges University NHS Hospital Foundation Trust, Blackshaw Road, London, United Kingdom; Institute of Infection & Immunity, St Georges University London, Cranmer Terrace, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Scharmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Guillaume Desoubeaux
- Department of Parasitology-Mycology-Tropical medicine, CHRU Tours, Tours, France
| | - Emmanuel Roilides
- Hippokration General Hospital, Infectious Diseases Department, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Karin van Dijk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Philipp Koehler
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Institute of Translational Research, Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jon Salmanton-García
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Institute of Translational Research, Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Oliver A Cornely
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department I of Internal Medicine, and Excellence Center for Medical Mycology (ECMM), Cologne, Germany; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Institute of Translational Research, Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Martin Hoenigl
- Biotech Med, Graz, Austria; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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22
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Tryfinopoulou K, Linkevicius M, Pappa O, Alm E, Karadimas K, Svartström O, Polemis M, Mellou K, Maragkos A, Brolund A, Fröding I, David S, Vatopoulos A, Palm D, Monnet DL, Zaoutis T, Kohlenberg A. Emergence and persistent spread of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae high-risk clones in Greek hospitals, 2013 to 2022. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300571. [PMID: 37997662 PMCID: PMC10668257 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.47.2300571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundPreliminary unpublished results of the survey of carbapenem- and/or colistin-resistant Enterobacterales (CCRE survey) showed the expansion of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) sequence type (ST) 39 in 12 of 15 participating Greek hospitals in 2019.AimWe conducted a rapid survey to determine the extent of spread of CPKP high-risk clones in Greek hospitals in 2022 and compare the distribution of circulating CPKP clones in these hospitals since 2013.MethodsWe analysed whole genome sequences and epidemiological data of 310 K. pneumoniae isolates that were carbapenem-resistant or 'susceptible, increased exposure' from Greek hospitals that participated in the European survey of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (EuSCAPE, 2013-2014), in the CCRE survey (2019) and in a national follow-up survey (2022) including, for the latter, an estimation of transmission events.ResultsFive K. pneumoniae STs including ST258/512 (n = 101 isolates), ST11 (n = 93), ST39 (n = 56), ST147 (n = 21) and ST323 (n = 13) accounted for more than 90% of CPKP isolates in the dataset. While ST11, ST147 and ST258/512 have been detected in participating hospitals since 2013 and 2014, KPC-2-producing ST39 and ST323 emerged in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Based on the defined genetic relatedness cut-off, 44 within-hospital transmission events were identified in the 2022 survey dataset, with 12 of 15 participating hospitals having at least one within-hospital transmission event.ConclusionThe recent emergence and rapid spread of new high-risk K. pneumoniae clones in the Greek healthcare system related to within-hospital transmission is of concern and highlights the need for molecular surveillance and enhanced infection prevention and control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Tryfinopoulou
- These authors contributed equally to this work and share first authorship
- National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Marius Linkevicius
- These authors contributed equally to this work and share first authorship
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olga Pappa
- National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - Erik Alm
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Olov Svartström
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Alma Brolund
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Inga Fröding
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sophia David
- Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance, Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Daniel Palm
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Anke Kohlenberg
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
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23
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Oyardi O, Demir ES, Alkan B, Komec S, Genc GE, Aygun G, Teke L, Turan D, Erturan Z, Savage PB, Guzel CB. Phenotypic Investigation of Virulence Factors, Susceptibility to Ceragenins, and the Impact of Biofilm Formation on Drug Efficacy in Candida auris Isolates from Türkiye. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1026. [PMID: 37888282 PMCID: PMC10607835 DOI: 10.3390/jof9101026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris has emerged as a significant fungal threat due to its rapid worldwide spread since its first appearance, along with its potential for antimicrobial resistance and virulence properties. This study was designed to examine virulence characteristics, the efficacy of ceragenins, and biofilm-derived drug resistance in seven C. auris strains isolated from Turkish intensive care patients. It was observed that none of the tested strains exhibited proteinase or hemolysis activity; however, they demonstrated weak phospholipase and esterase activity. In addition, all strains were identified as having moderate to strong biofilm formation characteristics. Upon determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of ceragenins, it was discovered that CSA-138 exhibited the highest effectiveness with a MIC range of 1-0.5 µg/mL, followed by CSA-131 with a MIC of 1 µg/mL. Also, antimicrobial agents destroyed mature biofilms at high concentrations (40-1280 µg/mL). The investigation revealed that the strains isolated from Türkiye displayed weak exoenzyme activities. Notably, the ceragenins exhibited effectiveness against these strains, suggesting their potential as a viable treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Oyardi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara 06330, Türkiye
| | - Elif Sena Demir
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34116, Türkiye; (E.S.D.); (B.A.); (C.B.G.)
| | - Busra Alkan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34116, Türkiye; (E.S.D.); (B.A.); (C.B.G.)
| | - Selda Komec
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul 34480, Türkiye;
| | - Gonca Erkose Genc
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Türkiye; (G.E.G.); (Z.E.)
| | - Gokhan Aygun
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34098, Türkiye;
| | - Leyla Teke
- Clinic of Microbiology, Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul 34255, Türkiye;
| | - Deniz Turan
- Medical Microbiology Laboratory, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul 34668, Türkiye;
| | - Zayre Erturan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Türkiye; (G.E.G.); (Z.E.)
| | - Paul B. Savage
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;
| | - Cagla Bozkurt Guzel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34116, Türkiye; (E.S.D.); (B.A.); (C.B.G.)
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24
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Maseda E, Martín-Loeches I, Zaragoza R, Pemán J, Fortún J, Grau S, Aguilar G, Varela M, Borges M, Giménez MJ, Rodríguez A. Critical appraisal beyond clinical guidelines for intraabdominal candidiasis. Crit Care 2023; 27:382. [PMID: 37789338 PMCID: PMC10546659 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04673-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regardless of the available antifungals, intraabdominal candidiasis (IAC) mortality continues to be high and represents a challenge for clinicians. MAIN BODY This opinion paper discusses alternative antifungal options for treating IAC. This clinical entity should be addressed separately from candidemia due to the peculiarity of the required penetration of antifungals into the peritoneal cavity. Intraabdominal concentrations may be further restricted in critically ill patients where pathophysiological facts alter normal drug distribution. Echinocandins are recommended as first-line treatment in guidelines for invasive candidiasis. However, considering published data, our pharmacodynamic analysis suggests the required increase of doses, postulated by some authors, to attain adequate pharmacokinetic (PK) levels in peritoneal fluid. Given the limited evidence in the literature on PK/PD-based treatments of IAC, an algorithm is proposed to guide antifungal treatment. Liposomal amphotericin B is advocated as first-line therapy in patients with sepsis/septic shock presenting candidemia or endophthalmitis, or with prior exposure to echinocandins and/or fluconazole, or with infections by Candida glabrata. Other situations and alternatives, such as new compounds or combination therapy, are also analysed. CONCLUSION There is a critical need for more robust clinical trials, studies examining patient heterogeneity and surveillance of antifungal resistance to enhance patient care and optimise treatment outcomes. Such evidence will help refine the existing guidelines and contribute to a more personalised and effective approach to treating this serious medical condition. Meanwhile, it is suggested to broaden the consideration of other options, such as liposomal amphotericin B, as first-line treatment until the results of the fungogram are available and antifungal stewardship could be implemented to prevent the development of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Maseda
- Service of Anesthesia, Hospital Quirónsalud Valle del Henares, Av. de La Constitución, 249, 28850, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ignacio Martín-Loeches
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Research Organization (MICRO), St James's Hospital, James Street, Leinster, Dublin 8, D08 NHY1, Ireland.
- Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit, Respiratory Institute, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, IDIBAPS (Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer), University of Barcelona, CIBERes, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - Javier Pemán
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari I Politecnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Fundación Micellium, La Eliana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Fortún
- Infectious Diseases Service, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Grau
- Service of Pharmacy, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerardo Aguilar
- Service of Anesthesia, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marina Varela
- Service of Anesthesia, Área Sanitaria de Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Marcio Borges
- ICU, Hospital Universitario Son Llátzer, Palma, Spain
| | - María-José Giménez
- Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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25
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Mulet Bayona JV, Tormo Palop N, Salvador García C, Guna Serrano MDR, Gimeno Cardona C. Candida auris from colonisation to candidemia: A four-year study. Mycoses 2023; 66:882-890. [PMID: 37401661 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida auris has become a worrisome multi-drug resistant healthcare-associated pathogen due to its capacity to colonise patients and surfaces and to cause outbreaks of invasive infections in critically ill patients. OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the outbreak in our setting in a 4-year period, reporting the risk factors for developing candidemia in previously colonised patients, the therapeutic measures for candidemia and the outcome of candidemia and colonisation cases among all C. auris isolates and their susceptibility to antifungals. METHODS Data were retrospectively collected from patients admitted to Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia (Spain) from September 2017 to September 2021. A retrospective case-control study was designed to identify risk factors for developing C. auris candidemia in previously colonised patients. RESULTS C. auris affected 550 patients, of which 210 (38.2%) had some clinical sample positive. Isolates were uniformly resistant to fluconazole, 20 isolates were resistant to echinocandins (2.8%) and four isolates were resistant to ampfotericin B (0.6%). There were 86 candidemia cases. APACHE II, digestive disease and catheter isolate were proven to be independent risk factors for developing candidemia in previously colonised patients. Thirty-day mortality rate for C. auris candidemia cases was 32.6%, while for colonisation cases was 33.7%. CONCLUSIONS Candidemia was one of the most frequent and severe infections caused by C. auris. The risk factors identified in this study should help to detect patients who are at more risk of developing candidemia, as long as an adequate surveillance of C. auris colonisation is performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Vicente Mulet Bayona
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Tormo Palop
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carme Salvador García
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Concepción Gimeno Cardona
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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26
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Grimmeisen M, Jessen-Trefzer C. Increasing the Selectivity of Light-Active Antimicrobial Agents - Or How To Get a Photosensitizer to the Desired Target. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300177. [PMID: 37132365 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Photosensitizers combine the inherent reactivity of reactive oxygen species with the sophisticated reaction control of light. Through selective targeting, these light-active molecules have the potential to overcome certain limitations in drug discovery. Ongoing advances in the synthesis and evaluation of photosensitizer conjugates with biomolecules such as antibodies, peptides, or small-molecule drugs are leading to increasingly powerful agents for the eradication of a growing number of microbial species. This review article, therefore, summarizes challenges and opportunities in the development of selective photosensitizers and their conjugates described in recent literature. This provides adequate insight for newcomers and those interested in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Grimmeisen
- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Albertstraße 21, 79104, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Claudia Jessen-Trefzer
- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Albertstraße 21, 79104, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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27
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Cristina ML, Spagnolo AM, Sartini M, Carbone A, Oliva M, Schinca E, Boni S, Pontali E. An Overview on Candida auris in Healthcare Settings. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:913. [PMID: 37755021 PMCID: PMC10532978 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris has become a major concern in critical care medicine due to the increasing number of immunocompromised patients and candidiasis is the most frequent cause of fungal infections. C. auris and other fungal pathogens are responsible for at least 13 million infections and 1.5 million deaths globally per year. In immunocompromised patients, infections can quickly become severe, causing wound infections, otitis and candidemia, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. The clinical presentation of C. auris is often non-specific and similar to other types of systemic infections; in addition, it is harder to identify from cultures than other, more common types of Candida spp. Some infections are particularly difficult to treat due to multi-resistance to several antifungal agents, including fluconazole (and other azoles), amphotericin B and echinocandins. This entails treatment with more drugs and at higher doses. Even after treatment for invasive infections, patients generally remain colonized for long periods, so all infection control measures must be followed during and after treatment of the C. auris infection. Screening patients for C. auris colonization enables facilities to identify individuals with C. auris colonization and to implement infection prevention and control measures. This pathogenic fungus shows an innate resilience, enabling survival and persistence in healthcare environment and the ability to rapidly colonize the patient's skin and be easily transmitted within the healthcare setting, thus leading to a serious and prolonged outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Cristina
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.L.C.); (A.M.S.); (E.S.)
- Hospital Hygiene Unit, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, 16128 Genova, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Spagnolo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.L.C.); (A.M.S.); (E.S.)
- Hospital Hygiene Unit, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, 16128 Genova, Italy
| | - Marina Sartini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.L.C.); (A.M.S.); (E.S.)
- Hospital Hygiene Unit, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, 16128 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessio Carbone
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.L.C.); (A.M.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Martino Oliva
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.L.C.); (A.M.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Elisa Schinca
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.L.C.); (A.M.S.); (E.S.)
- Hospital Hygiene Unit, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, 16128 Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Boni
- Infectious Disease Unit, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, Italy
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28
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Stanciu AM, Florea D, Surleac M, Paraschiv S, Oțelea D, Tălăpan D, Popescu GA. First report of Candida auris in Romania: clinical and molecular aspects. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2023; 12:91. [PMID: 37674189 PMCID: PMC10483769 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-023-01297-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The emerging opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida auris raises significant concerns for public health due to its outbreak potential, the associated high mortality, increased resistance to antifungals, challenging identification to species level, since commonly used diagnostic methods can confuse this fungus with other Candida spp. The present outbreak report describes probably some of the first Candida auris cases in Romania, providing clinical and epidemiological data, and also whole genome sequencing data. The cases were identified in three hospitals in Bucharest during the first eight months of 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Mihaela Stanciu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street no 37, Bucharest, 050474, Romania
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
| | - Dragoș Florea
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street no 37, Bucharest, 050474, Romania.
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania.
| | - Marius Surleac
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
| | - Simona Paraschiv
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street no 37, Bucharest, 050474, Romania
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
| | - Dan Oțelea
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
| | - Daniela Tălăpan
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street no 37, Bucharest, 050474, Romania
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
| | - Gabriel Adrian Popescu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street no 37, Bucharest, 050474, Romania
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
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29
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Pallotta F, Viale P, Barchiesi F. Candida auris: the new fungal threat. LE INFEZIONI IN MEDICINA 2023; 31:323-328. [PMID: 37701386 PMCID: PMC10495051 DOI: 10.53854/liim-3103-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Candida auris is an emergent fungal pathogen of particular concern. Since its first identification in Japan in 2009, it rapidly spread all over the world, including Italy. The main concern related to the diffusion of this fungus is its antifungal resistance. It is speculated that about 90% of isolates are resistant to fluconazole, 30% to amphotericin B and 5% to echinocandins; furthermore, some cases of pan-antifungal resistance have been described. Critically ill patients are particularly at risk of being colonized by this yeast and person-to-person transmission may generate hospital outbreaks. In fact, C. auris can survive on inanimate surfaces for a long time and commonly used disinfectants are not effective. Additionally, devices such as central venous catheters (CVCs) or urinary catheters are particularly at risk of being colonized, representing a possible source for the development of bloodstream infections caused by C. auris, which carries a high mortality rate. Given its capability to spread in the hospital setting and the limited therapeutic options it is of outmost importance to promptly identify C. auris. However, commonly used biochemical tests frequently misidentify C. auris as other Candida species; currently the best identification techniques are MALDI-TOF and molecular methods, such as PCR of the ITS and D1/D2 regions of the 28s ribosomal DNA. Whole genome sequencing remains the gold standard for the phylogenetic investigation of outbreaks. The majority of cases of colonization by C. albicans will not cause bloodstream infections and contact precautions and surveillance of contacts will be sufficient. When invasive fungal infections occur, echinocandins still represent the first therapeutic choice. A combination therapy or the use of novel antifungals (such as ibrexafungerp or fosmanogepix) would be required for echinocandin resistant strains. In conclusion, C. auris represents a growing threat because of its antifungal resistance characteristics, its difficult identification and its easy spread from person to person. The aim of this mini-review is to summarize the main aspects concerning this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Pallotta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Sanità Pubblica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Clinica di Malattie Infettive, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Viale
- Infectious Disease Unit, IRCCS Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Barchiesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Sanità Pubblica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Malattie Infettive, Azienda Sanitaria Marche 1 Pesaro-Urbino, Pesaro, Italy
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30
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Henriques J, Mixão V, Cabrita J, Duarte TI, Sequeira T, Cardoso S, Germano N, Dias L, Bento L, Duarte S, Veríssimo C, Gomes JP, Sabino R. Candida auris in Intensive Care Setting: The First Case Reported in Portugal. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:837. [PMID: 37623608 PMCID: PMC10455255 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an opportunistic human pathogen that has rapidly spread to multiple countries and continents and has been associated with a high number of nosocomial outbreaks. Herein, we report the first case of C. auris in Portugal, which was associated with a patient transferred from Angola to an ICU in Portugal for liver transplantation after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. C. auris was isolated during the course of bronchoalveolar lavage, and it was subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequence analysis. This isolate presents low susceptibility to azoles and belongs to the genetic clade III with a phylogenetic placement close to African isolates. Although clade III has already been reported in Europe, taking into account the patient's clinical history, we cannot discard the possibility that the patient's colonization/infection occurred in Angola, prior to admission in the Portuguese hospital. Considering that C. auris is a fungal pathogen referenced by WHO as a critical priority, this case reinforces the need for continuous surveillance in a hospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Henriques
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Verónica Mixão
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Joana Cabrita
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Tiago Isidoro Duarte
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Tânia Sequeira
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Sofia Cardoso
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Nuno Germano
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Liliana Dias
- Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Luís Bento
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Sílvia Duarte
- Innovation and Technology Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Cristina Veríssimo
- Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Raquel Sabino
- Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado TERRA–Laboratório para o Uso Sustentável da Terra e dos Serviços dos Ecossistemas, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
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Aldejohann AM, Martin R, Hecht J, Haller S, Rickerts V, Walther G, Eckmanns T, Kurzai O. Rise in Candida Auris Cases and First Nosocomial Transmissions in Germany. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 120:447-478. [PMID: 37661316 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
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Sticchi C, Raso R, Ferrara L, Vecchi E, Ferrero L, Filippi D, Finotto G, Frassinelli E, Silvestre C, Zozzoli S, Ambretti S, Diegoli G, Gagliotti C, Moro ML, Ricchizzi E, Tumietto F, Russo F, Tonon M, Maraglino F, Rezza G, Sabbatucci M. Increasing Number of Cases Due to Candida auris in North Italy, July 2019-December 2022. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12051912. [PMID: 36902700 PMCID: PMC10003924 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12051912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging fungus that represents a serious health threat globally. In Italy, the first case was detected in July 2019. Then, one case was reported to the Ministry of Health (MoH) on January 2020. Nine months later, a huge number of cases were reported in northern Italy. Overall, 361 cases were detected in 17 healthcare facilities between July 2019 and December 2022 in the Liguria, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto regions, including 146 (40.4%) deaths. The majority of cases (91.8%) were considered as colonised. Only one had a history of travel abroad. Microbiological data on seven isolates showed that all but one strain (85.7%) were resistant to fluconazole. All the environmental samples tested negative. Weekly screening of contacts was performed by the healthcare facilities. Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures were applied locally. The MoH nominated a National Reference Laboratory to characterise C. auris isolates and store the strains. In 2021, Italy posted two messages through the Epidemic Intelligence Information System (EPIS) to inform on the cases. On February 2022, a rapid risk assessment indicated a high risk for further spread within Italy, but a low risk of spread to other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Sticchi
- A.Li.Sa. Azienda Ligure Sanitaria, Ligurian Health Authority, 16121 Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Raso
- Regional Epidemiology Reference Service for the Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases—Local Health Unit of Alessandria, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Lorenza Ferrara
- Regional Epidemiology Reference Service for the Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases—Local Health Unit of Alessandria, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Elena Vecchi
- Collective Prevention and Public Health Section—Directorate General for Personal Care, Health and Welfare—Emilia Romagna Region, 40100 Bologna, Italy
| | - Loredana Ferrero
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Daniela Filippi
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Finotto
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Frassinelli
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Carlo Silvestre
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Susanna Zozzoli
- S.C. Health Directorate—P.O. Molinette—A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Simone Ambretti
- Microbiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Diegoli
- Collective Prevention and Public Health Section—Directorate General for Personal Care, Health and Welfare—Emilia Romagna Region, 40100 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Gagliotti
- Regional Health and Social Agency—Emilia Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Moro
- Regional Health and Social Agency—Emilia Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Ricchizzi
- Regional Health and Social Agency—Emilia Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Tumietto
- UO Antimicrobial Stewardship—AUSL Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Russo
- Veneto Region, Directorate for Prevention, Veterinary Food Safety, 30123 Venice, Italy
| | - Michele Tonon
- Veneto Region, Directorate for Prevention, Veterinary Food Safety, 30123 Venice, Italy
| | - Francesco Maraglino
- Ministry of Health, Directorate General Health Prevention, Communicable Diseases and International Prophylaxis, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rezza
- Ministry of Health, Directorate General Health Prevention, Communicable Diseases and International Prophylaxis, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Sabbatucci
- Ministry of Health, Directorate General Health Prevention, Communicable Diseases and International Prophylaxis, 00144 Rome, Italy
- Department Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Katsiari M, Mavroidi A, Kesesidis N, Palla E, Zourla K, Ntorlis K, Konstantinidis K, Laskou M, Strigklis K, Sakkalis A, Nikolaou C, Platsouka ED, Karakasiliotis I, Vrioni G, Tsakris A. Emergence of Clonally-Related South Asian Clade I Clinical Isolates of Candida auris in a Greek COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9020243. [PMID: 36836357 PMCID: PMC9964037 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris has recently emerged as a multidrug-resistant yeast implicated in various healthcare-associated invasive infections and hospital outbreaks. In the current study, we report the first five intensive care unit (ICU) cases affected by C. auris isolates in Greece, during October 2020-January 2022. The ICU of the hospital was converted to a COVID-19 unit on 25 February 2021, during the third wave of COVID-19 in Greece. Identification of the isolates was confirmed by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF]. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by the EUCAST broth microdilution method. Based on the tentative CDC MIC breakpoints, all five C. auris isolates were resistant to fluconazole (≥32 μg/mL), while three of them exhibited resistance to amphotericin B (≥2 μg/mL). The environmental screening also revealed the dissemination of C. auris in the ICU. Molecular characterization of C. auris clinical and environmental isolates was performed by MultiLocus Sequence Typing (MLST) of a set of four genetic loci, namely ITS, D1/D2, RPB1 and RPB2, encoding for the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of the ribosomal subunit, the large ribosomal subunit region and the RNA polymerase II largest subunit, respectively. MLST analysis showed that all isolates possessed identical sequences in the four genetic loci and clustered with the South Asian clade I strains. Additionally, PCR amplification and sequencing of the CJJ09_001802 genetic locus, encoding for the "nucleolar protein 58" that contains clade-specific repeats was performed. Sanger sequence analysis of the TCCTTCTTC repeats within CJJ09_001802 locus also assigned the C. auris isolates to the South Asian clade I. Our study confirms that C. auris is an emerging yeast pathogen in our region, especially in the setting of the ongoing COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. Adherence to strict infection control is needed to restrain further spread of the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Katsiari
- Intensive Care Unit, Konstantopouleio-Patission General Hospital, 14233 Athens, Greece
| | - Angeliki Mavroidi
- Department of Microbiology, Konstantopouleio-Patission General Hospital, 14233 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Kesesidis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Palla
- Department of Microbiology, Konstantopouleio-Patission General Hospital, 14233 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Zourla
- Department of Microbiology, Konstantopouleio-Patission General Hospital, 14233 Athens, Greece
| | - Kyriakos Ntorlis
- Intensive Care Unit, Konstantopouleio-Patission General Hospital, 14233 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Konstantinidis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Maria Laskou
- Intensive Care Unit, Konstantopouleio-Patission General Hospital, 14233 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Anastasios Sakkalis
- Intensive Care Unit, Konstantopouleio-Patission General Hospital, 14233 Athens, Greece
| | - Charikleia Nikolaou
- Intensive Care Unit, Konstantopouleio-Patission General Hospital, 14233 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia D. Platsouka
- Department of Microbiology, Konstantopouleio-Patission General Hospital, 14233 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Karakasiliotis
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Georgia Vrioni
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 MikrasAsias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 MikrasAsias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-7462011
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Candida auris as an Emergent Public Health Problem: A Current Update on European Outbreaks and Cases. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11030425. [PMID: 36767000 PMCID: PMC9914380 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11030425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is considered to be an emerging fungal pathogen and is related to high mortality rates, persistent candidemia, inconsistencies in susceptibility testing results and misidentification by available commercial identification systems. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and pandrug-resistant (PDR) strains are increasingly detected. In Europe, hospital outbreaks caused by C. auris have been reported in the United Kingdom (UK), Italy and Spain; however, several cases have been sporadically detected in all European countries. C. auris is difficult to control despite enhanced control measures due to its ability to survive for a long time in environments and colonize patients for prolonged periods. An adequate laboratory diagnostic capacity and national surveillance are fundamental to rapidly detect new C. auris cases and to apply the correct measures to circumscribe them and prevent their spread. Our narrative review aims to highlight the primary C. auris outbreaks and case reports that have occurred in Europe.
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Spettel K, Kriz R, Wu C, Achter L, Schmid S, Galazka S, Selitsch B, Camp I, Makristathis A, Lagler H, Willinger B. Candida auris in Austria-What Is New and What Is Different. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9020129. [PMID: 36836244 PMCID: PMC9962151 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a novel and emerging pathogenic yeast which represents a serious global health threat. Since its first description in Japan 2009, it has been associated with large hospital outbreaks all over the world and is often resistant to more than one antifungal drug class. To date, five C. auris isolates have been detected in Austria. Morphological characterization and antifungal susceptibility profiles against echinocandins, azoles, polyenes and pyrimidines, as well as the new antifungals ibrexafungerp and manogepix, were determined. In order to assess pathogenicity of these isolates, an infection model in Galleria mellonella was performed and whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis was conducted to determine the phylogeographic origin. We could characterize four isolates as South Asian clade I and one isolate as African clade III. All of them had elevated minimal inhibitory concentrations to at least two different antifungal classes. The new antifungal manogepix showed high in vitro efficacy against all five C. auris isolates. One isolate, belonging to the African clade III, showed an aggregating phenotype, while the other isolates belonging to South Asian clade I were non-aggregating. In the Galleria mellonella infection model, the isolate belonging to African clade III exhibited the lowest in vivo pathogenicity. As the occurrence of C. auris increases globally, it is important to raise awareness to prevent transmission and hospital outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Spettel
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Kriz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Wu
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Achter
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Schmid
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sonia Galazka
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitte Selitsch
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Iris Camp
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Athanasios Makristathis
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Heimo Lagler
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Willinger
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-140400-51510
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Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Martín-Galiano AJ. The challenges of the genome-based identification of antifungal resistance in the clinical routine. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1134755. [PMID: 37152754 PMCID: PMC10157239 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1134755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of chronic and life-threatening infections caused by antimicrobial resistant fungal isolates is of critical concern. Low DNA sequencing cost may facilitate the identification of the genomic profile leading to resistance, the resistome, to rationally optimize the design of antifungal therapies. However, compared to bacteria, initiatives for resistome detection in eukaryotic pathogens are underdeveloped. Firstly, reported mutations in antifungal targets leading to reduced susceptibility must be extensively collected from the literature to generate comprehensive databases. This information should be complemented with specific laboratory screenings to detect the highest number possible of relevant genetic changes in primary targets and associations between resistance and other genomic markers. Strikingly, some drug resistant strains experience high-level genetic changes such as ploidy variation as much as duplications and reorganizations of specific chromosomes. Such variations involve allelic dominance, gene dosage increments and target expression regime effects that should be explicitly parameterized in antifungal resistome prediction algorithms. Clinical data indicate that predictors need to consider the precise pathogen species and drug levels of detail, instead of just genus and drug class. The concomitant needs for mutation accuracy and assembly quality assurance suggest hybrid sequencing approaches involving third-generation methods will be utilized. Moreover, fatal fast infections, like fungemia and meningitis, will further require both sequencing and analysis facilities are available in-house. Altogether, the complex nature of antifungal resistance demands extensive sequencing, data acquisition and processing, bioinformatic analysis pipelines, and standard protocols to be accomplished prior to genome-based protocols are applied in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in Network in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC-CB21/13/00105), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo,
| | - Antonio J. Martín-Galiano
- Core Scientific and Technical Units, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Antonio J. Martín-Galiano,
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