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Rate of arabinitol production by pathogenic yeast species
Abstract:
D-Arabinitol is a five-carbon polyol that is produced by many fungi. Detection of the metabolite has been reported in serum from patients with invasive candidiasis. We studied the production and assimilation of arabinitol by 46 clinical isolates of yeast species. Cultures of isolates of Candida albicans (9 strains), Candida tropicalis (12 strains), Candida parapsilosis (13 strains), Candida krusei (4 strains), Candida pseudotropicalis (3 strains), Torulopsis glabrata (3 strains), and Cryptococcus neoformans (2 strains) were assayed by gas-liquid chromatography. Yeast cells were cultured at 34 degrees C in yeast nitrogen base with 3.0 g of glucose per liter. At 1.5- to 3-h intervals, cells were counted and glucose and arabinitol were measured in media filtrates. The levels of arabinitol in cultures with 7.5 X 10(6) yeast cells per ml were compared. The mean concentrations of the metabolite in C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. pseudotropicalis cultures wee 14.1, 1.6, 8.4, and 5.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. No arabinitol was detected in cultures of C. krusei, T. glabrata, or C. neoformans.
Insights
D-Arabinitol, a fungal metabolite, was studied in various yeast species. Only Candida species produced detectable D-arabinitol, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for invasive candidiasis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Clinical Microbiology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- D-Arabinitol is a five-carbon polyol produced by numerous fungi.
- Detection of D-arabinitol in serum has been associated with invasive candidiasis.
- Understanding arabinitol production by different yeast species is crucial for its diagnostic utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the production and assimilation of D-arabinitol by clinical isolates of various yeast species.
- To compare D-arabinitol levels produced by different Candida species and other yeasts.
- To evaluate the potential of D-arabinitol as a biomarker for invasive fungal infections.
Main Methods:
- Cultured 46 clinical yeast isolates including Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, Candida pseudotropicalis, Torulopsis glabrata, and Cryptococcus neoformans.
- Yeast cells were cultured at 34°C in yeast nitrogen base with glucose.
- Measured arabinitol and glucose concentrations in media filtrates using gas-liquid chromatography at 1.5- to 3-hour intervals.
Main Results:
- Significant D-arabinitol production was observed in cultures of Candida albicans (mean 14.1 µg/ml), Candida tropicalis (mean 1.6 µg/ml), Candida parapsilosis (mean 8.4 µg/ml), and Candida pseudotropicalis (mean 5.5 µg/ml).
- No detectable arabinitol was found in cultures of Candida krusei, Torulopsis glabrata, or Cryptococcus neoformans.
- Arabinitol levels varied among the Candida species tested.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms that D-arabinitol production is specific to certain yeast species, primarily within the Candida genus.
- The differential production of D-arabinitol by various Candida species warrants further investigation for its application in diagnosing invasive candidiasis.
- Absence of arabinitol production in Candida krusei, Torulopsis glabrata, and Cryptococcus neoformans highlights species-specific metabolic pathways.