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Endocarditis caused by Candida parapsilosis
M Senba1, K Watanabe, K Yoshida
1Department of Pathology, Nagasaki University, Japan.
Abstract:
The authors report a case of endocarditis caused by Candida parapsilosis. To the best of our knowledge, a case has not been described previously in Japan in the English literature. A battery of 8 peroxidase-labeled lectins was tested on sections of paraffin-embedded tissue to determine which lectin could be used in the microscopic diagnosis of C. parapsilosis. One lectin, from Archis hypoaea (PNA) was found to react with C. parapsilosis. On the other hand, C. albicans, Aspergillus, Mucor, and Cryptococcus did not react with A. hypoaea (PNA). On fluorescence microscopic study, C. parapsilosis was not fluorescent, but other fungi were fluorescent when exposed to ultraviolet illumination. Therefore, we propose new procedures for identification of C. parapsilosis in tissue sections using lectin histochemistry and fluorescence microscopy.
Insights
This study identifies a new method for diagnosing Candida parapsilosis infections using lectin histochemistry. Peanut agglutinin (PNA) specifically binds to C. parapsilosis in tissue samples, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Histopathology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Endocarditis caused by Candida parapsilosis is rare, with no prior reported cases in Japan in English literature.
- Accurate and rapid identification of fungal pathogens in tissue is crucial for effective treatment.
Observation:
- A battery of eight peroxidase-labeled lectins was tested on paraffin-embedded tissue sections.
- Peanut agglutinin (PNA) from Archis hypoaea showed specific reactivity with Candida parapsilosis.
- Other common fungi like Candida albicans, Aspergillus, Mucor, and Cryptococcus did not react with PNA.
Findings:
- Candida parapsilosis exhibited specific binding to PNA in tissue sections.
- Fluorescence microscopy revealed that C. parapsilosis was non-fluorescent, while other tested fungi were fluorescent under ultraviolet light.
- These distinct characteristics allow for the differentiation of C. parapsilosis from other fungi.
Implications:
- The study proposes novel diagnostic procedures for identifying Candida parapsilosis in tissue using lectin histochemistry and fluorescence microscopy.
- This method offers a potential advancement in the microscopic diagnosis of C. parapsilosis infections.
- The findings could improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management for rare fungal endocarditis cases.