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Updated: Feb 27, 2026
Identification of Fatty Acids in Bacillus cereus
Published on: December 5, 2016
Fatty Acid Profiling Identification Method of Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candidozyma auris (Formally Candida auris)
Thu Huynh1,2,3, Flora Bohner1, Adiyadolgor Turbat1,4
1Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary.
Abstract:
The species Candidozyma auris (formerly known as Candida auris) can be subdivided into four major and two minor clades. It is considered an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen that causes invasive outbreaks around the world. Therefore, the accurate identification of this species plays an important role in combating invasion and facilitating pathogenic management. In our study an optional identification method was developed considering the possibility of using cellular fatty acids (FAs) as a taxonomic and diagnostic tool. FAs were recorded in the collected C. auris strains, and the species characteristic components were determined. Within the isolates examined, the clades were also separated in the statistical analysis. Furthermore, FAs from strains belonging to clade I and II have been divided into two distinct clusters. In testing the performance of the method, all identified samples showed good matches with the established C. auris record in the database without misreading. Taken together, cellular fatty acids were investigated as potential discriminatory biomarkers. The results suggest that this approach can distinguish C. auris from related species and provides distinctive fatty acid profiles for the investigated C. auris clades. The present findings revealed the first report on the application of whole cell FA components as taxonomic features in C. auris.
Insights
Cellular fatty acids (FAs) offer a novel method for identifying the emerging pathogen Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris). This approach accurately distinguishes between C. auris clades and related species, aiding in infection control.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Microbial Taxonomy
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris) is a multidrug-resistant pathogen causing global invasive outbreaks.
- Accurate identification of C. auris is crucial for effective management and containment.
- Existing identification methods may require enhancement for rapid and precise diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an optional identification method for C. auris using cellular fatty acid (FA) profiles.
- To assess the potential of FAs as taxonomic and diagnostic biomarkers for C. auris.
- To differentiate between C. auris clades based on their FA composition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cellular fatty acid (FA) profiles from collected C. auris strains.
- Statistical analysis to identify species-characteristic FA components.
- Clustering analysis of FA data to separate C. auris clades.
- Database comparison to validate the accuracy of the FA-based identification method.
Main Results:
- Distinctive cellular fatty acid (FA) profiles were determined for C. auris strains.
- Statistical analysis successfully separated the different C. auris clades.
- FA profiles from Clade I and Clade II strains formed two distinct clusters.
- The FA-based identification method demonstrated high accuracy, matching established C. auris records without misidentification.
Conclusions:
- Cellular fatty acids (FAs) serve as effective discriminatory biomarkers for C. auris.
- This FA-based approach accurately distinguishes C. auris from related species.
- The study provides distinct FA profiles for different C. auris clades, offering a novel taxonomic tool.
