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Molecular Identification of Candida Species among Iranian Patients: Pursuing Candida auris

Summary

This study evaluated a simple molecular test called PCR-RFLP to identify different types of Candida fungi in hospitalized patients in Iran. Among 136 patient samples, researchers found eight different Candida species, with common Candida albicans being most prevalent, but other more dangerous species also present. No cases of the emerging pathogen Candida auris were found, though the test method can effectively detect it. The researchers conclude this cost-effective test could be valuable for identifying dangerous fungal infections in developing countries.

Background

Candida species are opportunistic fungal pathogens causing infections from mucocutaneous candidiasis to severe invasive candidiasis. There has been a shift from Candida albicans to non-albicans Candida (NAC) species, with Candida auris emerging as a multidrug-resistant pathogen. Limited availability of reliable molecular identification techniques in developing countries may lead to underestimation of C. auris prevalence.

Objective

To rapidly and precisely identify Candida species, especially Candida auris, from patients hospitalized in high-risk units using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.

Results

Candida albicans was the most prevalent isolate at 48.8%, followed by C. glabrata (17.6%), C. tropicalis (16.1%), C. parapsilosis (6.6%), C. krusei (5.8%), C. famata (4.4%), C. kefyr (2.9%), and C. guilliermondii (1.4%). No C. auris isolates were identified among 136 patients. PCR-RFLP results showed 100% correlation with sequencing results.

Conclusion

The simple and reliable PCR-RFLP assay can effectively identify rare yeasts such as C. auris and has potential for use in developing countries. The study demonstrates that PCR-RFLP is a valuable diagnostic tool that can reduce turnaround times and costs. Further studies are needed to determine C. auris prevalence in Iran.
  • Published in:Advanced Biomedical Research,
  • Study Type:Cross-sectional observational study,
  • Source: PMID: 41132217, DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_678_24
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