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Detection of Multiple Nosocomial Trichosporon asahii Transmission Events via Microsatellite Typing Assay, South America

Summary

Researchers developed a new genetic fingerprinting method to identify and track Trichosporon asahii, a dangerous fungal infection that spreads in hospitals. Using this tool on clinical samples from South America, they discovered multiple separate outbreak events where the same fungal strains infected patients across different hospitals and years. This method is faster and cheaper than other genetic tests, making it useful for hospitals worldwide to detect and prevent fungal outbreaks.

Background

Trichosporon asahii is an emerging yeast-like fungal pathogen causing life-threatening catheter-related infections worldwide, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Despite increasing prevalence and high mortality rates, epidemiologic typing tools for investigating potential clonal spread are notably lacking.

Objective

To develop a microsatellite typing assay for T. asahii and apply it to clinical and environmental isolates to assess its use in epidemiological investigations of nosocomial transmission events.

Results

Microsatellite typing identified 71 genotypes among 111 isolates with high discriminatory power (Simpson index 0.9793). Multiple nosocomial transmission events were identified, including clusters spanning more than a decade in hospitals across Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Conclusion

The developed microsatellite typing panel offers high reproducibility and specificity, providing an effective tool for tracking T. asahii outbreaks and monitoring transmission in healthcare settings, particularly suitable for resource-limited countries.
  • Published in:Emerging Infectious Diseases,
  • Study Type:Laboratory-based Epidemiological Study,
  • Source: 10.3201/eid3109.241929; PMID: 40867019
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