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Characterization of Candida parapsilosis complex isolates

M de Toro1, M J Torres, Ruiz Maite

  • 1Service of Microbiology, Hospital Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain. mdt19772@hotmail.com

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|July 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The Candida parapsilosis complex includes new species, Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis. Most isolates were Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto, which frequently formed biofilms, unlike the other species.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Candida parapsilosis complex species, including Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis, have been recently delineated.
  • Understanding their distribution and characteristics is crucial for effective clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the species distribution within the Candida parapsilosis complex in a Spanish hospital.
  • To analyze the relationship between species, isolation source, and biofilm formation.
  • To evaluate antifungal susceptibility, including planktonic and sessile minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs).

Main Methods:

  • Isolates from blood and other sources were identified to the species level.
  • Biofilm formation was assessed for each isolate.
  • Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed for voriconazole, amphotericin B, and anidulafungin, determining both planktonic MICs and sessile MICs (SMICs).

Main Results:

  • Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto was the predominant species (91%), followed by Candida orthopsilosis (8.2%) and Candida metapsilosis (0.8%).
  • Biofilm formation was significantly higher in Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto (58.5%) compared to Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis (0%).
  • All isolates were susceptible to voriconazole and amphotericin B, but two Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates showed non-susceptibility to anidulafungin. Sessile MICs indicated moderate effectiveness of amphotericin B and anidulafungin against C. parapsilosis sensu stricto biofilms, while voriconazole was ineffective.

Conclusions:

  • Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto is the most prevalent species and is strongly associated with biofilm formation.
  • Antifungal susceptibility patterns differ between planktonic and sessile states, highlighting the importance of SMICs for biofilm-related infections.
  • Species identification within the C. parapsilosis complex is important for understanding epidemiology and guiding antifungal therapy.

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