Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance
08:45

Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance

Published on: December 28, 2017

Candida kefyr, an uncommon but emerging fungal pathogen: report of two cases

Kimberly Corpus1, Rozelle Hegeman-Dingle, Iman Bajjoka

  • 1Departments of Pharmacy Services, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA. kcorpus1@hfhs.org

Pharmacotherapy
|September 2, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Candida kefyr, a rare fungal pathogen, caused infections in two immunocompromised patients. Both patients recovered after treatment with antifungal medications, highlighting successful therapeutic outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Candida species are normal human microflora but can cause disease in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are susceptible to Candida infections, including urinary tract and bloodstream infections.
  • Increasing frequency of non-albicans Candida infections and emerging antifungal resistance are significant concerns.

Observation:

  • This report details two rare cases of infection caused by Candida kefyr.
  • Both infected patients had underlying conditions and treatments predisposing them to an immunocompromised state.
  • Candida kefyr isolates from both patients demonstrated susceptibility to amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole.

Findings:

  • Successful treatment outcomes were achieved in both reported cases of Candida kefyr infection.
  • One patient received amphotericin B, leading to infection resolution.
  • The other patient was treated with voriconazole, also resulting in resolution of the infection.

Implications:

  • These cases underscore the importance of considering and identifying uncommon Candida species like C. kefyr in clinical settings.
  • The susceptibility of C. kefyr isolates to standard antifungal agents suggests effective treatment options are available.
  • Further research into the pathogenicity and treatment of C. kefyr infections may be warranted, especially in vulnerable patient populations.

More Related Videos

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis08:48

Bio-energetics Investigation of Candida albicans Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis

Published on: March 19, 2019

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...