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[Species composition of yeast-like fungi isolated from HIV-infected patients]

O I Polishchuk, O V Pokas, Zh E V'ialykh

    Mikrobiolohichnyi Zhurnal (Kiev, Ukraine : 1993)
    |November 6, 2007
    PubMed

    Insights

    The proportion of non-albicans yeast strains in HIV-infected individuals increased significantly. Candida glabrata emerged as the dominant species, with many strains exhibiting proteolytic activity, a key pathogenicity factor.

    Area of Science:

    • Medical Mycology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • HIV/AIDS Research

    Context:

    • Yeast-like fungi infections in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected populations.
    • Longitudinal study spanning 1994-2005 to track fungal strain prevalence.
    • Focus on opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals.

    Purpose:

    • To analyze the changing prevalence of non-albicans yeast strains in HIV-infected patients over time.
    • To identify the dominant yeast species and assess their pathogenic potential.
    • To investigate the role of proteolytic activity as a virulence factor in these fungal isolates.

    Summary:

    • Analysis of yeast-like fungi from HIV-infected patients between 1994 and 2005 revealed a rise in non-albicans strains to 46.2%.
    • Non-albicans strains were found in monoculture in 40% of patients, with Candida glabrata being the most prevalent species (21.3%).
    • Proteolytic activity, a significant pathogenicity factor, was detected in 90% of reference strains and 58% of newly isolated strains.

    Impact:

    • Highlights a critical shift in the etiological agents of fungal infections within the HIV-infected population.
    • Identifies Candida glabrata as a species of increasing clinical importance in this demographic.
    • Provides insights into fungal virulence mechanisms, potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies against opportunistic mycoses in immunocompromised patients.

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