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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Published on: July 1, 2020
[The fungal infections in patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit]
Piotr Kurnatowski1, Andrzej Wieczorek, Tomasz Gaszyński
1Zakład Biologii i Parazytologii Lekarskiej Katedry Biologii i Genetyki Medycznej, Uniwersytet Medyczny, Pl. Hallera 1, 90-647 Lódź. katbiol@poczta.onet.pl
Introduction:
Over the last years, systemic fungal infections have dramatically increased in hospitalized patients. The Candida is the main pathogen caused nosocomial fungal infections.
The Aim Of The Study:
The aim was to analyze frequency of occurrence of the yeast-like fungi in different biological materials isolated from the patients of an Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of Lodz in the period of 2000-2003.
Material And Methods:
123 strains of fungi were analyzed with the use of API 20 C AUX test (bioMarieux).
Results:
Among all the investigated Candida strains C. albicans accounted for 52.0%. Samples from respiratory system and urine most often contained the strains of C. albicans (56.3 and 60.5%, respectively); blood samples contained C. parapsilosis (44.8%). In patients who were untreated by bacterial antibiotics C. albicans was the most frequent species, whereas in patients who were ordered bacterial antibiotics it was C. parapsilosis that dominated.
Conclusions:
(1) Candida is the most frequent cause of fungal infections in patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit. (2) C. parapsilosis is the main pathogen caused bloodstream infections. This species is also more frequent in patients who were ordered antibacterial antibiotics over five days. (3). Species other than C. albicans become more and more frequent and dangerous.
Insights
Systemic fungal infections, primarily from Candida species, are increasing in hospitals. Candida parapsilosis is a key cause of bloodstream infections, especially in patients receiving antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Systemic fungal infections are rising in hospitalized patients.
- Candida species are the primary cause of nosocomial fungal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of yeast-like fungi in various biological samples from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.
- To analyze the occurrence of Candida species between 2000 and 2003.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 123 fungal strains using the API 20 C AUX test.
- Identification of yeast-like fungi isolated from ICU patients.
Main Results:
- Candida albicans was the most prevalent species (52.0%).
- Respiratory and urine samples most frequently yielded C. albicans (56.3% and 60.5%).
- Candida parapsilosis dominated blood samples (44.8%) and was more common in patients treated with bacterial antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- Candida is the leading cause of fungal infections in ICU patients.
- C. parapsilosis is the primary pathogen in candidemia and associated with prolonged antibiotic use.
- Non-albicans Candida species are emerging as significant and dangerous pathogens.
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