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Clinical, microbiological, and experimental animal studies of Candida lipolytica
T J Walsh1, I F Salkin, D M Dixon
1Infectious Diseases Section, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Abstract:
Candida lipolytica was recovered from six patients in three different clinical centers. The index isolate caused a persistent fungemia with catheter-associated Candida thrombophlebitis, the second isolate was from a polymicrobial sinusitis, and the remaining four isolates were involved in tissue colonization. These and 20 other isolates were consistent in their morphological and physiological characteristics. All formed true hyphae and blastoconidia on cornmeal-Tween 80 agar and all assimilated glucose, glycerol, and erythritol. In a murine model of disseminated candidiasis, the index isolate that caused clinical fungemia caused no mortality and produced only two lesions on a kidney, as determined at necropsy. The nine isolates selected for in vitro antifungal susceptibility studies had intermediate susceptibilities to amphotericin B but were susceptible to ketoconazole. We conclude that C. lipolytica is a weakly virulent pathogen which may require an intravascular foreign body to cause fungemia.
Insights
Candida lipolytica can cause infections, particularly fungemia associated with medical devices. This yeast is generally weakly virulent, often requiring an intravascular foreign body to establish a significant infection.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candida lipolytica is a yeast species with increasing clinical relevance.
- Understanding its pathogenic potential is crucial for patient management.
Observation:
- C. lipolytica was isolated from six patients across three centers, involved in fungemia, sinusitis, and tissue colonization.
- Morphological and physiological characterization revealed consistent traits, including hyphae and blastoconidia formation.
- In a murine model, the clinical fungemia isolate showed low virulence, causing minimal mortality and kidney lesions.
Findings:
- Isolates demonstrated intermediate susceptibility to amphotericin B and susceptibility to ketoconazole in vitro.
- C. lipolytica exhibits characteristics of a weakly virulent pathogen.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that C. lipolytica may require an intravascular foreign body, such as a catheter, to cause persistent fungemia.
- This highlights the importance of considering C. lipolytica in device-associated infections.