Mixed yeast infections in Taiwan

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Mixed yeast infections pose diagnostic challenges.
• Understanding the prevalence of specific yeast combinations is essential for clinical management.
• Antifungal resistance in yeasts necessitates vigilant surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and combinations of clinically significant yeast species in mixed infections.
• To identify antifungal resistance patterns in yeast isolates from mixed infections.
• To highlight the importance of accurate species identification in polymicrobial yeast infections.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of yeast isolates collected through the Taiwan Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance of Yeasts (TSARY) in 2014.
• Identification of yeast species from 1092 specimens, with a focus on 44 specimens containing multiple species.
• Documentation of yeast species combinations and specimen types (urine, sputum, blood, ascites).

Main Results:

• 44 out of 1092 specimens yielded mixed yeast infections.
• Predominant combinations included Candida albicans/Candida glabrata (14), C. albicans/Candida tropicalis (13), and C. glabrata/C. tropicalis (9).
• Fluconazole-resistant isolates of Candida norvegensis and Candida krusei were detected.

Conclusions:

• Accurate identification of multiple yeast species within a single specimen is critical.
• Understanding common yeast combinations aids in predicting potential pathogens.
• Monitoring antifungal resistance in mixed yeast infections is vital for guiding therapy.