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Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance
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Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance

Published on: December 28, 2017

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Recurrent copy number variations in the human fungal pathogen Candida parapsilosis

Anna Selmecki1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School , Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Mbio
|October 3, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Copy number variation (CNV) in Candida parapsilosis influences drug resistance. Amplification of RTA3 correlates with resistance, while its deletion causes susceptibility, impacting this opportunistic fungal pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Genetics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Candida parapsilosis is an opportunistic fungal pathogen with rising global incidence in hospitals.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of its virulence and drug resistance is crucial but limited.
  • Copy number variation (CNV) is a potential driver of pathogen adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically quantify the frequency and impact of CNV in diverse C. parapsilosis isolates.
  • To investigate the role of specific CNVs in drug resistance and virulence.
  • To explore the evolutionary dynamics of CNV formation in this species.

Main Methods:

  • Whole genome sequencing using both short- and long-read technologies.
  • Analysis of 170 diverse clinical and environmental isolates of C. parapsilosis.
  • Quantification of CNV structure, copy number, and correlation with gene expression and drug susceptibility.

Main Results:

  • Identified two recurrent CNVs, primarily amplifying ARR3 or RTA3 coding sequences.
  • Found variable amplification levels and recombination breakpoints across isolates.
  • Demonstrated that RTA3 amplification correlates with drug resistance, and deletion with drug susceptibility.

Conclusions:

  • CNV is a significant factor in C. parapsilosis adaptation and drug resistance.
  • The RTA3 gene is a key target for CNV-mediated drug resistance.
  • Further research is needed on CNV dynamics and their broader impact on fungal pathogens.
Keywords:
Candida parapsilosisantifungal drug resistancecopy number variationexperimental evolution

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