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Retore YI, Lucini F, Rial RC, Cardoso CAL, Souza PFN, Simionatto S, Rossato L. Antifungal activity of Caryocar brasiliense camb. Alone or along with antifungal agents against multidrug-resistant Candida auris. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 330:118240. [PMID: 38677574 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Candida auris poses a severe global health threat, with many strains resistant to antifungal treatments, complicating therapy. Exploring natural compounds alongside conventional drugs offers promising therapeutic avenues. The antifungal potential of the ethanolic extract from Caryocar brasiliense (Cb-EE), a plant native to the Brazilian cerrado and renowned for its medicinal properties, was investigated against C. auris. AIM OF THE STUDY The study examined the chemical composition, antifungal activity, mechanisms of action, and in vivo effects of Cb-EE. MATERIALS AND METHODS Leaves of C. brasiliense were processed to extract ethanolic extract, which was evaluated for phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins. The antifungal capacity was determined through broth microdilution and checkerboard methods, assessing interaction with conventional antifungals. RESULTS Cb-EE demonstrated fungistatic activity against various Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans. Synergy with fluconazole and additive effects with other drugs were observed. Cb-EE inhibited C. auris growth, with the combination of fluconazole extending inhibition. Mechanistic studies revealed interference with fungal membranes, confirmed by sorbitol protection assays, cellular permeability tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Hemocompatibility and in vivo toxicity tests on Tenebrio molitor showed safety. CONCLUSION Cb-EE, alone or in combination with fluconazole, effectively treated C. auris infections in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its prospective role as an antifungal agent against this emerging pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmim Isabel Retore
- Health Sciences Research Laboratory, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Fabíola Lucini
- Health Sciences Research Laboratory, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rafael Cardoso Rial
- Federal Institut of Mato Grosso Do Sul - IFMS, Nova Andradina, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Claudia Andrea Lima Cardoso
- Center of Studies in Natural Resources, State University of Mato Grosso Do Sul, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Simone Simionatto
- Health Sciences Research Laboratory, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luana Rossato
- Health Sciences Research Laboratory, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
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Silva I, Miranda IM, Costa-de-Oliveira S. Potential Environmental Reservoirs of Candida auris: A Systematic Review. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:336. [PMID: 38786691 PMCID: PMC11122228 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, poses significant challenges in healthcare settings worldwide. Understanding its environmental reservoirs is crucial for effective control strategies. This systematic review aimed to review the literature regarding the natural and environmental reservoirs of C. auris. Following the PRISMA guidelines, published studies until October 2023 were searched in three databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Information regarding the origin, sampling procedure, methods for laboratory identification, and antifungal susceptibility was collected and analyzed. Thirty-three studies published between 2016 and 2023 in 15 countries were included and analyzed. C. auris was detected in various environments, including wastewater treatment plants, hospital patient care surfaces, and natural environments such as salt marshes, sand, seawater, estuaries, apples, and dogs. Detection methods varied, with molecular techniques often used alongside culture. Susceptibility profiles revealed resistance patterns. Phylogenetic studies highlight the potential of environmental strains to influence clinical infections. Despite methodological heterogeneity, this review provides valuable information for future research and highlights the need for standardized sampling and detection protocols to mitigate C. auris transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Silva
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Isabel M. Miranda
- Cardiovascular R&D Centre UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Sofia Costa-de-Oliveira
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research—CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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De Gaetano S, Midiri A, Mancuso G, Avola MG, Biondo C. Candida auris Outbreaks: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Microorganisms 2024; 12:927. [PMID: 38792757 PMCID: PMC11123812 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a critical priority pathogen on its latest list of fungi. C. auris infections are reported in the bloodstream and less commonly in the cerebrospinal fluid and abdomen, with mortality rates that range between 30% and 72%. However, no large-scale epidemiology studies have been reported until now. The diagnosis of C. auris infections can be challenging, particularly when employing conventional techniques. This can impede the early detection of outbreaks and the implementation of appropriate control measures. The yeast can easily spread between patients and in healthcare settings through contaminated environments or equipment, where it can survive for extended periods. Therefore, it would be desirable to screen patients for C. auris colonisation. This would allow facilities to identify patients with the disease and take appropriate prevention and control measures. It is frequently unsusceptible to drugs, with varying patterns of resistance observed among clades and geographical regions. This review provides updates on C. auris, including epidemiology, clinical characteristics, genomic analysis, evolution, colonisation, infection, identification, resistance profiles, therapeutic options, prevention, and control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Carmelo Biondo
- Mycology Laboratory, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (S.D.G.); (A.M.); (G.M.); (M.G.A.)
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Shapiro LT, Valecillos AV, McDade R, Rosa RM, Abbo LM. Navigating the Challenges of Candida auris Colonization in Rehabilitation Settings. Rehabil Nurs 2024; 49:80-85. [PMID: 38386804 DOI: 10.1097/rnj.0000000000000455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Candida auris is a highly transmissible yeast that is capable of causing invasive and fatal infections, particularly among persons with underlying medical conditions. Its incidence is rising, especially among patients cared for in post-acute care facilities. Individuals colonized with the yeast may be cared for in inpatient rehabilitation settings, without heightened risk for invasive infection and/or transmission to others, as long as appropriate infection control measures are followed. This article reviews key information for rehabilitation nurses caring for persons with C. auris , including risk factors for infection, the need for contact precautions, appropriate disinfection practices for therapy and diagnostic equipment, and critical components of safe transitions in the care of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren T Shapiro
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Adriana Valbuena Valecillos
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Regina McDade
- Department of Infection Prevention, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Rossana M Rosa
- Department of Infection Prevention, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
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5
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Vélez N, Argel A, Kissmann AK, Alpízar-Pedraza D, Escandón P, Rosenau F, Ständker L, Firacative C. Pore-forming peptide C14R exhibits potent antifungal activity against clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Candida auris. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1389020. [PMID: 38601736 PMCID: PMC11004338 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1389020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Invasive candidiasis is a global public health problem as it poses a significant threat in hospital-settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate C14R, an analog derived from peptide BP100, as a potential antimicrobial peptide against the prevalent opportunistic yeast Candida albicans and the emergent multidrug-resistant yeast Candida auris. Methods Antifungal susceptibility testing of C14R against 99 C. albicans and 105 C. auris clinical isolates from Colombia, was determined by broth microdilution. Fluconazole was used as a control antifungal. The synergy between C14R and fluconazole was assessed in resistant isolates. Assays against fungal biofilm and growth curves were also carried out. Morphological alterations of yeast cell surface were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. A permeability assay verified the pore-forming ability of C14R. Results C. albicans and C. auris isolates had a geometric mean MIC against C14R of 4.42 µg/ml and 5.34 µg/ml, respectively. Notably, none of the isolates of any species exhibited growth at the highest evaluated peptide concentration (200 µg/ml). Synergistic effects were observed when combining the peptide and fluconazole. C14R affects biofilm and growth of C. albicans and C. auris. Cell membrane disruptions were observed in both species after treatment with the peptide. It was confirmed that C14R form pores in C. albicans' membrane. Discussion C14R has a potent antifungal activity against a large set of clinical isolates of both C. albicans and C. auris, showing its capacity to disrupt Candida membranes. This antifungal activity remains consistent across isolates regardless of their clinical source. Furthermore, the absence of correlation between MICs to C14R and resistance to fluconazole indicates the peptide's potential effectiveness against fluconazole-resistant strains. Our results suggest the potential of C14R, a pore-forming peptide, as a treatment option for fungal infections, such as invasive candidiasis, including fluconazole and amphotericin B -resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norida Vélez
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Andreys Argel
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | | | - Daniel Alpízar-Pedraza
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba
| | | | - Frank Rosenau
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility for Functional Peptidomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
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6
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Ettadili H, Vural C. Current global status of Candida auris an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen: bibliometric analysis and network visualization. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:391-402. [PMID: 38261261 PMCID: PMC10920528 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01239-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen associated with nosocomial infections and hospital outbreaks worldwide, presenting a serious global health threat. There has been a rapid emergence of scientific research publications focusing on therapeutic compounds, diagnostic techniques, control strategies, prevention, and understanding the epidemiology related to C. auris. OBJECTIVE This study aims to provide the most up-to-date comprehensive and integrated examination of C. auris research subject and demonstrate that C. auris is indeed a topic of increasing interest. METHODS The search query "candida-auris" was used as a topic term to find and retrieve relevant data published between 2009 and 15 June 2023, from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. In this work, the bibliometric analysis and network visualization were conducted using VOSviewer software, and Biblioshiny interface accessible through the Bibliometrix R-package on RStudio software. RESULTS The yearly growth rate percentage (37.91%), along with the strong positive correlations between publications and citations (r = 0.981; p < 0.001), suggests heightened scholarly engagement in this topic. The USA, India, China, and the UK have emerged as pivotal contributors, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA being the most productive institution. Current research hotspots in this field mainly focused on identifying and limiting transmission of the clonal strains, epidemiology, antifungal resistance, and in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing. CONCLUSION This detailed bibliometric analysis in C. auris topic shows that this fungal pathogen has garnered growing attention and attracted progressively more scholars. This paper will help researchers to find without difficulty the relevant articles, research hotspots, influential authors, institutions, and countries related to the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Ettadili
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Pamukkale University, 20160, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Caner Vural
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Pamukkale University, 20160, Denizli, Turkey.
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7
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Dobry P, Edwin SB, Ng TH, Dutcheshen K, Kaki A, Schreiber TL. Treatment of Candida auris during extracorporeal life support: A case report. Int J Artif Organs 2024; 47:223-226. [PMID: 38281934 DOI: 10.1177/03913988231226357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
With rates of ECMO utilization on the rise, prevention of nosocomial infections is of paramount importance. Candida auris, an emerging highly pathogenic multidrug resistant fungus, is of particular concern as it is associated with persistent colonization of environmental surfaces, inability to be recognized by many diagnostic platforms, inconsistent laboratory susceptibility results, and high mortality rates. We describe a case of C. auris in a VV-ECMO patient successfully managed with a combination of anidulafungin, amphotericin B, and flucytosine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Dobry
- Department of Pharmacy, Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
- Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Stephanie B Edwin
- Department of Pharmacy, Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Tsz Hin Ng
- Department of Pharmacy, Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Karey Dutcheshen
- Department of Cardiology, Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Amir Kaki
- Department of Cardiology, Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
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Maniah K. Anticandidal effectiveness of greenly synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles against candidal pathogens. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2024; 58:1097-1110. [PMID: 38351615 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2024.2315922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Drug resistance of pathogenic candidal strains to conventional antifungal agents represents a significant health issue contributing to high morbidity worldwide. Hence, the aim of the current study focused on evaluating the antifungal and synergistic activities of the green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles formulated using Laurus nobilis leaf extract. The biogenic ZnONPs were hexagonal in shape with average particle size diameter of 37.98 nm and pure crystalline structure as detected by XRD data. The highest antifungal activity of biogenic ZnONPs was detected against Candida parapsilosis strain demonstrating relative inhibitory zone diameters of 17.13 ± 0.74 and 25.78 ± 0.47 mm, at the concentrations of 100 and 200 µg/disk, respectively. Moreover, the biogenic ZnONPs demonstrated the highest synergistic activity with clotrimazole antifungal agent against Candida glabrata followed by Candida auris strains. MTT assay revealed that the biogenic ZnONPs showed low toxicity demonstrating relative IC50 value of 774.45 µg/mL against normal lung fibroblast cells which further affirmed their biosafety for application. In conclusion, the bioinspired ZnONPs could be utilized for the formulation of effective antifungal agents against drug resistant candidal strains and also could be combined with antifungal agents to boost their antifungal efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Maniah
- Department of Biology, King Khalid Military Academy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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9
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Shinohara T, Wada A, Abe M, Nakayama N, Nagi M, Miyazaki Y. A novel zinc-chelating compound has antifungal activity against a wide range of Candida species, including multidrug-resistant Candida auris. JAC Antimicrob Resist 2024; 6:dlad155. [PMID: 38384742 PMCID: PMC10880073 DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlad155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives In recent years, the incidence of invasive fungal infections has increased, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Potential challenges in treating these infections with the few existing antifungal agents highlight the urgency of developing new ones. Here, we evaluated six alkyl polyamine compounds (APCs), not previously reported as antifungal drugs to our knowledge, that could deprive fungi of essential transition metals. Methods The APC with confirmed antifungal activity against Candida spp. was analysed by using transcriptomics, followed by metal-addition experiments, mass spectrometric analyses and intracellular zinc quantification with a fluorescent probe. Results A cyclic APC with three pyridylmethyl groups, APC6, had high antifungal activity against a wide range of Candida species, including MDR Candida auris. We conclusively demonstrated that APC6 was able to capture zinc within fungal cells. APC6 not only exhibited activity against C. auris as a single agent but also enhanced the efficacy of an azole antifungal agent, voriconazole, in vitro and in vivo. APC6 disrupted the biofilms formed by Candida species. Conclusions This zinc-chelating compound has potential as an antifungal agent, and the control of zinc levels in Candida species could be a powerful approach to treating drug-resistant candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Shinohara
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Wada
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masahiro Abe
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuko Nakayama
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Nagi
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
- Department of Fungal Infection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
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10
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Heuer C, Jiang X, Ron G, Ternyak O, Scheper T, Bahnemann J, Segal E. Photonic Si microwell architectures for rapid antifungal susceptibility determination of Candida auris. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:1305-1308. [PMID: 38197155 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04446g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
We present the application of a photonic silicon chip-based optical sensor system for expeditious and phenotypic antifungal susceptibility testing. This label-free diagnostic assay optically monitors the growth of Candida auris at varying antifungal concentrations on a microwell-structured silicon chip in real-time, and antifungal susceptibility is detected within 6 h, four times faster than in the current gold standard method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Heuer
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover 30167, Germany
- Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg 86159, Germany
| | - Xin Jiang
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.
| | - Gali Ron
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.
| | - Orna Ternyak
- Micro- and Nanofabrication and Printing Unit, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Thomas Scheper
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover 30167, Germany
| | - Janina Bahnemann
- Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg 86159, Germany
| | - Ester Segal
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.
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McDougal AN, DeMaet MA, Garcia B, York T, Iverson T, Ojo O, Patel J. A cluster investigation of Candida auris among hospitalized incarcerated patients. ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP & HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY : ASHE 2023; 3:e244. [PMID: 38156225 PMCID: PMC10753478 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2023.520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Objective Investigate and mitigate a cluster of Candida auris cases among incarcerated patients in a maximum-security prison hospital utilizing contact tracing, screening, whole genome sequencing, and environmental sampling and decontamination. Design Outbreak investigation. Setting Inpatient prison hospital affiliated with an academic tertiary referral center. Patients Inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Methods Epidemiologic and environmental investigations were conducted including contact tracing, point prevalence surveys, and environmental sampling. Whole genome sequencing was performed on positive patient isolates. Results Following a clinical case of C. auris fungemia, 344 patients underwent C. auris surveillance screening. Eight (2.3%) patients were identified with C. auris colonization. All patients were male. Our index patient was the only clinical case and death. Whole genome sequencing was performed on the nine patient isolates. All isolates were clade III (Africa) and clustered together with the largest SNP difference being 21. Environmental cultures from 7 of 61 rooms (11.5%) were positive following terminal disinfection with bleach. Sites nearest to the patient were most often positive including the hospital bed rails and bedside table. The transmission cluster was successfully mitigated within 60 days of identification. Conclusions Implementation of an aggressive surveillance and decontamination program resulted in mitigation of a C. auris transmission cluster among our incarcerated patients. This investigation provides valuable insight into C. auris transmission in the incarcerated population, which is not considered a classic high-risk population as well as the challenges faced to stop transmission in a facility that requires the use of shared patient environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- April N. McDougal
- Department of Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Mary Ann DeMaet
- Department of Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Bobbiejean Garcia
- Healthcare Safety Unit, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Teresa York
- Department of Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Thomas Iverson
- Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Olugbenga Ojo
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice Hospital & Clinics, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Janak Patel
- Department of Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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12
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Rapti V, Iliopoulou K, Poulakou G. The Gordian Knot of C. auris: If You Cannot Cut It, Prevent It. Pathogens 2023; 12:1444. [PMID: 38133327 PMCID: PMC10747958 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its first description in 2009, Candida auris has, so far, resulted in large hospital outbreaks worldwide and is considered an emerging global public health threat. Exceptionally for yeast, it is gifted with a profoundly worrying invasive potential and high inter-patient transmissibility. At the same time, it is capable of colonizing and persisting in both patients and hospital settings for prolonged periods of time, thus creating a vicious cycle of acquisition, spreading, and infection. It exhibits various virulence qualities and thermotolerance, osmotolerance, filamentation, biofilm formation and hydrolytic enzyme production, which are mainly implicated in its pathogenesis. Owing to its unfavorable profile of resistance to diverse antifungal agents and the lack of effective treatment options, the implementation of robust infection prevention and control (IPC) practices is crucial for controlling and minimizing intra-hospital transmission of C. auris. Rapid and accurate microbiological identification, adherence to hand hygiene, use of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), proper handling of catheters and implantable devices, contact isolation, periodical environmental decontamination, targeted screening, implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs and communication between healthcare facilities about residents' C. auris colonization status are recognized as coherent strategies for preventing its spread. Current knowledge on C. auris epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and its mechanisms of pathogenicity are summarized in the present review and a comprehensive overview of IPC practices ensuring yeast prevention is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Rapti
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Garyfallia Poulakou
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
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13
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Micelly-Moreno J, Barreto-Santamaría A, Arévalo-Pinzón G, Firacative C, Gómez BL, Escandón P, Patarroyo MA, Muñoz JE. Therapeutic Use of the Antimicrobial Peptide PNR20 to Resolve Disseminated Candidiasis in a Murine Model. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1149. [PMID: 38132750 PMCID: PMC10744665 DOI: 10.3390/jof9121149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) caused by Candida species are an emerging threat globally, given that patients at-risk and antifungal resistance are increasing. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown good therapeutic capacity against different multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms. This study evaluated the activity of the synthetic peptide, PNR20, against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and a MDR Colombian clinical isolate of Candida auris. Perturbation of yeast cell surface was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Cell viability of Vero cells was determined to assess peptide toxicity. Additionally, survival, fungal burden, and histopathology of BALB/c mice infected intravenously with each Candida species and treated with PNR20 were analyzed. Morphological alterations were identified in both species, demonstrating the antifungal effect of PNR20. In vitro, Vero cells' viability was not affected by PNR20. All mice infected with either C. albicans or C. auris and treated with PNR20 survived and had a significant reduction in the fungal burden in the kidney compared to the control group. The histopathological analysis in mice infected and treated with PNR20 showed more preserved tissues, without the presence of yeast, compared to the control groups. This work shows that the utilization of PNR20 is a promising therapeutic alternative against disseminated candidiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeisson Micelly-Moreno
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca, Bogota 110311, Colombia;
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia; (C.F.); (B.L.G.)
| | - Adriana Barreto-Santamaría
- Receptor-Ligand Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogota 111321, Colombia;
| | - Gabriela Arévalo-Pinzón
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 #40–62, Bogota 110231, Colombia;
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia; (C.F.); (B.L.G.)
| | - Beatriz L. Gómez
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia; (C.F.); (B.L.G.)
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Microbiology Group, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogota 111321, Colombia;
| | - Manuel A. Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogota 111321, Colombia;
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota 111321, Colombia
| | - Julián E. Muñoz
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia; (C.F.); (B.L.G.)
- Public Health Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia
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Almeida-Silva F, Coelho RA, Bernardes-Engemann AR, Fichman V, Freitas DF, Galhardo MC, Corrêa-Junior D, Frases S, Zancopé-Oliveira RM, Almeida-Paes R. In vitro isavuconazole activity against Sporothrix brasiliensis suggests its efficacy in some severe sporotrichosis cases. Future Microbiol 2023; 18:1041-1048. [PMID: 37721514 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2023-0094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Sporothrix brasiliensis causes sporotrichosis, an important infection in some groups of patients. Aims: This work was designed to investigate the effects of isavuconazole against this species. Methods: An antifungal susceptibility test was performed to compare MIC values with other antifungal drugs used to treat sporotrichosis. A checkerboard assay was performed to understand isavuconazole interactions. Furthermore, isavuconazole growth inhibition on an itraconazole-resistant strain was tested. Results: Isavuconazole had similar MICs to other azoles against S. brasiliensis, presenting fungistatic activity. Isavuconazole did not interact in vitro with antifungals or immunosuppressive drugs and inhibited the growth of an itraconazole-resistant strain. Conclusion: Isavuconazole inhibits S. brasiliensis, its pharmacologic characteristics make it a candidate for patients with sporotrichosis and it may be useful to combat sporotrichosis caused by resistant isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Almeida-Silva
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rowena A Coelho
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andréa R Bernardes-Engemann
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vivian Fichman
- Departamento de Dermatologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dayvison Fs Freitas
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Cg Galhardo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatologia Infecciosa, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dario Corrêa-Junior
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Biofísica de Fungos, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rede Micologia RJ, FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rosely M Zancopé-Oliveira
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
- Laboratório de Micologia, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rede Micologia RJ, FAPERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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15
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Mulet Bayona JV, Tormo Palop N, Salvador García C, Guna Serrano MDR, Gimeno Cardona C. Candida auris from colonisation to candidemia: A four-year study. Mycoses 2023; 66:882-890. [PMID: 37401661 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida auris has become a worrisome multi-drug resistant healthcare-associated pathogen due to its capacity to colonise patients and surfaces and to cause outbreaks of invasive infections in critically ill patients. OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the outbreak in our setting in a 4-year period, reporting the risk factors for developing candidemia in previously colonised patients, the therapeutic measures for candidemia and the outcome of candidemia and colonisation cases among all C. auris isolates and their susceptibility to antifungals. METHODS Data were retrospectively collected from patients admitted to Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia (Spain) from September 2017 to September 2021. A retrospective case-control study was designed to identify risk factors for developing C. auris candidemia in previously colonised patients. RESULTS C. auris affected 550 patients, of which 210 (38.2%) had some clinical sample positive. Isolates were uniformly resistant to fluconazole, 20 isolates were resistant to echinocandins (2.8%) and four isolates were resistant to ampfotericin B (0.6%). There were 86 candidemia cases. APACHE II, digestive disease and catheter isolate were proven to be independent risk factors for developing candidemia in previously colonised patients. Thirty-day mortality rate for C. auris candidemia cases was 32.6%, while for colonisation cases was 33.7%. CONCLUSIONS Candidemia was one of the most frequent and severe infections caused by C. auris. The risk factors identified in this study should help to detect patients who are at more risk of developing candidemia, as long as an adequate surveillance of C. auris colonisation is performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Vicente Mulet Bayona
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Tormo Palop
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carme Salvador García
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Concepción Gimeno Cardona
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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16
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Stanciu AM, Florea D, Surleac M, Paraschiv S, Oțelea D, Tălăpan D, Popescu GA. First report of Candida auris in Romania: clinical and molecular aspects. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2023; 12:91. [PMID: 37674189 PMCID: PMC10483769 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-023-01297-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The emerging opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida auris raises significant concerns for public health due to its outbreak potential, the associated high mortality, increased resistance to antifungals, challenging identification to species level, since commonly used diagnostic methods can confuse this fungus with other Candida spp. The present outbreak report describes probably some of the first Candida auris cases in Romania, providing clinical and epidemiological data, and also whole genome sequencing data. The cases were identified in three hospitals in Bucharest during the first eight months of 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Mihaela Stanciu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street no 37, Bucharest, 050474, Romania
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
| | - Dragoș Florea
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street no 37, Bucharest, 050474, Romania.
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania.
| | - Marius Surleac
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
| | - Simona Paraschiv
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street no 37, Bucharest, 050474, Romania
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
| | - Dan Oțelea
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
| | - Daniela Tălăpan
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street no 37, Bucharest, 050474, Romania
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
| | - Gabriel Adrian Popescu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Dionisie Lupu Street no 37, Bucharest, 050474, Romania
- "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Calistrat Grozovici Street no 1, Bucharest, 021105, Romania
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17
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Kim JS, Bahn YS. Protein Kinase A Controls the Melanization of Candida auris through the Alteration of Cell Wall Components. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1702. [PMID: 37760005 PMCID: PMC10525270 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12091702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, significantly threatens global public health. Recent studies have identified melanin production, a key virulence factor in many pathogenic fungi that protects against external threats like reactive oxygen species, in C. auris. However, the melanin regulation mechanism remains elusive. This study explores the role of the Ras/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in C. auris melanization. It reveals that the catalytic subunits Tpk1 and Tpk2 of protein kinase A (PKA) are essential, whereas Ras1, Gpr1, Gpa2, and Cyr1 are not. Under melanin-promoting conditions, the tpk1Δ tpk2Δ strain formed melanin granules in the supernatant akin to the wild-type strain but failed to adhere them properly to the cell wall. This discrepancy is likely due to a decreased expression of chitin-synthesis-related genes. Our findings also show that Tpk1 primarily drives melanization, with Tpk2 having a lesser impact. To corroborate this, we found that C. auris must deploy Tpk1-dependent melanin deposition as a defensive mechanism against antioxidant exposure. Moreover, we confirmed that deletion mutants of multicopper oxidase and ferroxidase genes, previously assumed to influence C. auris melanization, do not directly contribute to the process. Overall, this study sheds light on the role of PKA in C. auris melanization and enhances our understanding of the pathogenicity mechanisms of this emerging fungal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yong-Sun Bahn
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea;
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18
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Hetta HF, Ramadan YN, Al-Kadmy IMS, Ellah NHA, Shbibe L, Battah B. Nanotechnology-Based Strategies to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris Infections. Pathogens 2023; 12:1033. [PMID: 37623993 PMCID: PMC10458664 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
An emerging multidrug-resistant pathogenic yeast called Candida auris has a high potential to spread quickly among hospitalized patients and immunodeficient patients causing nosocomial outbreaks. It has the potential to cause pandemic outbreaks in about 45 nations with high mortality rates. Additionally, the fungus has become resistant to decontamination techniques and can survive for weeks in a hospital environment. Nanoparticles might be a good substitute to treat illnesses brought on by this newly discovered pathogen. Nanoparticles have become a trend and hot topic in recent years to combat this fatal fungus. This review gives a general insight into the epidemiology of C. auris and infection. It discusses the current conventional therapy and mechanism of resistance development. Furthermore, it focuses on nanoparticles, their different types, and up-to-date trials to evaluate the promising efficacy of nanoparticles with respect to C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helal F. Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt;
| | - Yasmin N. Ramadan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt;
| | - Israa M. S. Al-Kadmy
- Branch of Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad P.O. Box 10244, Iraq;
| | - Noura H. Abd Ellah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt;
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Assiut, Naser City, Assiut 2014101, Egypt
| | - Lama Shbibe
- Faculty of Science, Damascus University, Damascus 97009, Syria;
| | - Basem Battah
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Syrian Private University (SPU), Daraa International Highway, Damascus 36822, Syria
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Henriques J, Mixão V, Cabrita J, Duarte TI, Sequeira T, Cardoso S, Germano N, Dias L, Bento L, Duarte S, Veríssimo C, Gomes JP, Sabino R. Candida auris in Intensive Care Setting: The First Case Reported in Portugal. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:837. [PMID: 37623608 PMCID: PMC10455255 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an opportunistic human pathogen that has rapidly spread to multiple countries and continents and has been associated with a high number of nosocomial outbreaks. Herein, we report the first case of C. auris in Portugal, which was associated with a patient transferred from Angola to an ICU in Portugal for liver transplantation after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. C. auris was isolated during the course of bronchoalveolar lavage, and it was subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequence analysis. This isolate presents low susceptibility to azoles and belongs to the genetic clade III with a phylogenetic placement close to African isolates. Although clade III has already been reported in Europe, taking into account the patient's clinical history, we cannot discard the possibility that the patient's colonization/infection occurred in Angola, prior to admission in the Portuguese hospital. Considering that C. auris is a fungal pathogen referenced by WHO as a critical priority, this case reinforces the need for continuous surveillance in a hospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Henriques
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Verónica Mixão
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Joana Cabrita
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Tiago Isidoro Duarte
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Tânia Sequeira
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Sofia Cardoso
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Nuno Germano
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Liliana Dias
- Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Luís Bento
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.H.); (J.C.); (T.I.D.); (T.S.); (S.C.); (N.G.); (L.B.)
| | - Sílvia Duarte
- Innovation and Technology Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Cristina Veríssimo
- Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Raquel Sabino
- Reference Unit for Parasitic and Fungal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado TERRA–Laboratório para o Uso Sustentável da Terra e dos Serviços dos Ecossistemas, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
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20
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Koleri J, Petkar HM, Rahman S Al Soub HA, Rahman S AlMaslamani MA. Candida auris Blood stream infection- a descriptive study from Qatar. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:513. [PMID: 37544995 PMCID: PMC10405369 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08477-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candida auris is an emerging yeast pathogen that can cause invasive infections, particularly candidemia, in healthcare settings. Candida auris is characterized by resistance to multiple classes of antifungal drugs and high mortality. OBJECTIVE To describe the risk factors, clinical characteristics, antifungal susceptibility pattern and outcomes of Candida auris blood stream infection. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of electronic medical records of C. auris fungemia cases in the facilities under Hamad Medical corporation, Qatar from 1/11/2018 to 31/7/2021. Demographic data, risk factors, antibiogram and 30-day outcome are described. RESULTS We identified 36 patients with C. auris fungemia. Most of the patients were in intensive care unit following severe COVID-19 pneumonia and had received steroids and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Most cases were central line related. Over 90% of isolates were non-susceptible to fluconazole, while amphotericin B resistance reached 85%. Factors associated with high mortality included initial SOFA score of 9 or above and absence of source control. CONCLUSION Our study reveals a concerning 41.6% mortality rate within 30 days of C. auris candidemia. Furthermore, the prevalence of amphotericin B resistance in Qatar exceeds what has been reported in the literature necessitating further exploration. Echinocandins retains nearly 100% susceptibility and should be prioritized as the treatment of choice. These findings emphasize the need for vigilant monitoring and appropriate management strategies to combat C. auris infections and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junais Koleri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Hawabibee Mahir Petkar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Microbiology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
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21
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Al-Obaidi MM, Ostrosky-Zeichner L, Nix DE. Trends of Azole Antifungal Prescription in the United States: Medicare Part D Provider Utilization and Payment Data Analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad345. [PMID: 37539063 PMCID: PMC10394725 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Invasive fungal infections carry a substantial risk of mortality and morbidity. Azole antifungals are used in the treatment of such infections; however, their extensive use can lead to the emergence of antifungal resistance and increased costs to patients and healthcare systems. The aim of this study is to evaluate trends in these antifungals use and costs. Methods The secular and regional trends of outpatient azole antifungals were analyzed using Medicare Part D Prescriber Public Use Files for the years 2013-2020. The total days supply (TDS), total drug cost (TDC) per 100 000 enrollees, and cost per day (CPD) were evaluated. Results The azole antifungal TDS for Medicare Part D enrollees increased by 12% between 2013 and 2020, and increases were noted for each azole. Southern US regions had the highest TDS, with Arizona having the highest TDS among US states in 2020. Cost analysis showed that TDC of all azoles has increased by 93% over the years, going up from $123 316 in 2013 to $238 336 per 100 000 enrollees in 2020. However, CPD showed an increase only for fluconazole and isavuconazole, with CPD of $1.62 per day and $188.30 per day, respectively. Conclusions Combined azole antifungal prescriptions TDS increased among Medicare Part D enrollees. The trend in CPD was mixed, whereas overall costs consistently increased over the same period. Such findings provide an insight into the impact of azole antifungal prescriptions, and increasing use could foreshadow more antifungal resistance. Continued studies to evaluate different prescribers' trends are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohanad M Al-Obaidi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, USA, Houston, Texas
| | - David E Nix
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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22
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Torres R, Barreto-Santamaría A, Arévalo-Pinzón G, Firacative C, Gómez BL, Escandón P, Patarroyo MA, Muñoz JE. In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Three Synthetic Peptides against Candida auris and Other Candida Species of Medical Importance. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1234. [PMID: 37627654 PMCID: PMC10451292 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Candidiasis is an opportunistic infection affecting immunosuppressed and hospitalized patients, with mortality rates approaching 40% in Colombia. The growing pharmacological resistance of Candida species and the emergence of multidrug-resistant Candida auris are major public health problems. Therefore, different antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being investigated as therapeutic alternatives to control candidiasis effectively and safely. This work aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of three synthetic AMPs, PNR20, PNR20-1, and 35409, against ATCC reference strains of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, and Candida tropicalis, and clinical isolates of C. auris. Antifungal susceptibility testing, determined by broth microdilution, showed that the AMPs have antifungal activity against planktonic cells of all Candida species evaluated. In C. auris and C. albicans, the peptides had an effect on biofilm formation and cell viability, as determined by the XTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Also, morphological alterations in the membrane and at the intracellular level of these species were induced by the peptides, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. In vitro, the AMPs had no cytotoxicity against L929 murine fibroblasts. Our results showed that the evaluated AMPs are potential therapeutic alternatives against the most important Candida species in Colombia and the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richar Torres
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca, Bogotá 110311, Colombia;
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (C.F.); (B.L.G.)
| | - Adriana Barreto-Santamaría
- Receptor-Ligand Department Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (A.B.-S.); (G.A.-P.)
| | - Gabriela Arévalo-Pinzón
- Receptor-Ligand Department Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (A.B.-S.); (G.A.-P.)
| | - Carolina Firacative
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (C.F.); (B.L.G.)
| | - Beatriz L. Gómez
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (C.F.); (B.L.G.)
| | - Patricia Escandón
- Microbiology Group, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
| | - Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Julián E. Muñoz
- Studies in Translational Microbiology and Emerging Diseases (MICROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia; (C.F.); (B.L.G.)
- Public Health Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia
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23
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El Zakhem A, Mahmoud O, Zakhour J, Nahhal SB, El Ghawi N, Omran N, El Sheikh WG, Tamim H, Kanj SS. The Impact of COVID-19 on the Epidemiology and Outcomes of Candidemia: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:769. [PMID: 37504757 PMCID: PMC10381108 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections, notably candidemia, have been associated with COVID-19. The epidemiology of candidemia has significantly changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to identify the microbiological profile, resistance rates, and outcomes of COVID-19-associated candidemia (CAC) compared to patients with candidemia not associated with COVID-19. We retrospectively collected data on patients with candidemia admitted to the American University of Beirut Medical Center between 2004 and 2022. We compared the epidemiology of candidemia during and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we compared the outcomes of critically ill patients with CAC to those with candidemia without COVID-19 from March 2020 till March 2022. Among 245 candidemia episodes, 156 occurred prior to the pandemic and 89 during the pandemic. Of the latter, 39 (43.8%) were CAC, most of which (82%) were reported from intensive care units (ICU). Non-albicans Candida (NAC) spp. were predominant throughout the study period (67.7%). Candida auris infection was the most common cause of NAC spp. in CAC. C. glabrata had decreased susceptibility rates to fluconazole and caspofungin during the pandemic period (46.1% and 38.4%, respectively). The mortality rate in the overall ICU population during the pandemic was 76.6%, much higher than the previously reported candidemia mortality rate observed in studies involving ICU patients. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between CAC and non-CAC (75.0% vs. 78.1%; p = 0.76). Performing ophthalmic examination (p = 0.002), CVC removal during the 48 h following the candidemia (p = 0.008) and speciation (p = 0.028) were significantly associated with a lower case-fatality rate. The epidemiology of candidemia has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic at our center. Rigorous infection control measures and proper antifungal stewardship are essential to combat highly resistant species such as C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline El Zakhem
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Omar Mahmoud
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Johnny Zakhour
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Sarah B Nahhal
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Nour El Ghawi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Nadine Omran
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Walaa G El Sheikh
- Biostatistics Unit, Clinical Research Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Hani Tamim
- Biostatistics Unit, Clinical Research Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Souha S Kanj
- Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
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24
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Singh R, Malik P, Kumar M, Kumar R, Alam MS, Mukherjee TK. Secondary fungal infections in SARS-CoV-2 patients: pathological whereabouts, cautionary measures, and steadfast treatments. Pharmacol Rep 2023:10.1007/s43440-023-00506-z. [PMID: 37354313 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00506-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
The earliest documented COVID-19 case caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus occurred in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, several SARS-CoV-2 mutants have rapidly disseminated as exemplified by the community spread of the recent omicron variant. The disease already attained a pandemic status with ever-dwindling mortality even after two and half years of identification and considerable vaccination. Aspergillosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis and mucormycosis are the prominent fungal infections experienced by the majority of SARS-CoV-2 high-risk patients. In its entirety, COVID-19's nexus with these fungal infections may worsen the intricacies in the already beleaguered high-risk patients, making this a topic of substantial clinical concern. Thus, thorough knowledge of the subject is necessary. This article focuses on the concomitant fungal infection(s) in COVID-19 patients, taking into account their underlying causes, the screening methods, manifested drug resistance, and long-term effects. The information and knowledge shared herein could be crucial for the management of critically ill, aged, and immunocompromised SARS-CoV-2 patients who have had secondary fungal infections (SFIs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, 133207, India
| | - Parth Malik
- School of Chemical Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, 133207, India
| | - Raman Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to Be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, 133207, India
| | - Md Shamshir Alam
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, PO Box 620, 130, Bosher-Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Tapan Kumar Mukherjee
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Sector-125, Noida, UP, India.
- Department of Biotechnology, Amity University, Major Arterial Road, Action Area II, Rajarhat, New Town, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700135, India.
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25
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Marena GD, Ruiz-Gaitán A, Garcia-Bustos V, Tormo-Mas MÁ, Pérez-Royo JM, López A, Bernarbe P, Pérez Ruiz MD, Zaragoza Macian L, Vicente Saez C, Avalos Mansilla A, Gómez EV, Carvalho GC, Bauab TM, Chorilli M, Pemán J. Nanoemulsion Increases the Antifungal Activity of Amphotericin B against Four Candida auris Clades: In Vitro and In Vivo Assays. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1626. [PMID: 37512799 PMCID: PMC10386465 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging yeast of worldwide interest due to its antifungal resistance and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to analyse the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of a nanoemulsion loaded with amphotericin B (NEA) against planktonic cells and biofilm of C. auris clinical isolates belonging to four different clades. In vivo assays were performed using the Galleria mellonella model to analyse antifungal activity and histopathological changes. The in vitro results showed that NEA exhibited better antifungal activity than free amphotericin B (AmB) in both planktonic and sessile cells, with >31% inhibition of mature biofilm. In the in vivo assays, NEA demonstrated superior antifungal activity in both haemolymph and tissue. NEA reduced the fungal load in the haemolymph more rapidly and with more activity in the first 24 h after infection. The histological analysis of infected larvae revealed clusters of yeast, immune cells, melanisation, and granulomas. In conclusion, NEA significantly improved the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of AmB and could be considered a promising therapy for C. auris infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Davi Marena
- Severe Infection Research Group, Health Research Institute La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Alba Ruiz-Gaitán
- Severe Infection Research Group, Health Research Institute La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University and Polytechnic La Fe Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Victor Garcia-Bustos
- Severe Infection Research Group, Health Research Institute La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Alejandro López
- Severe Infection Research Group, Health Research Institute La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Patricia Bernarbe
- Severe Infection Research Group, Health Research Institute La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Eulogio Valentín Gómez
- Severe Infection Research Group, Health Research Institute La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Gabriela Corrêa Carvalho
- Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Tais Maria Bauab
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Marlus Chorilli
- Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Javier Pemán
- Severe Infection Research Group, Health Research Institute La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University and Polytechnic La Fe Hospital, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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26
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Alam H, Srivastava V, Sekgele W, Wani MY, Al-Bogami AS, Molepo J, Ahmad A. Cellular apoptosis and cell cycle arrest as potential therapeutic targets for eugenol derivatives in Candida auris. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285473. [PMID: 37343020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, the youngest Candida species, is known to cause candidiasis and candidemia in humans and has been related to several hospital outbreaks. Moreover, Candida auris infections are largely resistant to the antifungal drugs currently in clinical use, necessitating the development of novel medications and approaches to treat such infections. Following up on our previous studies that demonstrated eugenol tosylate congeners (ETCs) to have antifungal activity, several ETCs (C1-C6) were synthesized to find a lead molecule with the requisite antifungal activity against C. auris. Preliminary tests, including broth microdilution and the MUSE cell viability assay, identified C5 as the most active derivative, with a MIC value of 0.98 g/mL against all strains tested. Cell count and viability assays further validated the fungicidal activity of C5. Apoptotic indicators, such as phosphatidylserine externalization, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial depolarization, decreased cytochrome c and oxidase activity and cell death confirmed that C5 caused apoptosis in C. auris isolates. The low cytotoxicity of C5 further confirmed the safety of using this derivative in future studies. To support the conclusions drawn in this investigation, additional in vivo experiments demonstrating the antifungal activity of this lead compound in animal models will be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hammad Alam
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Vartika Srivastava
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Windy Sekgele
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Oral Biological Sciences, School of Oral Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mohmmad Younus Wani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Julitha Molepo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Oral Biological Sciences, School of Oral Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Aijaz Ahmad
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Infection Control, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
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27
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Brandt P, Mirhakkak MH, Wagner L, Driesch D, Möslinger A, Fänder P, Schäuble S, Panagiotou G, Vylkova S. High-Throughput Profiling of Candida auris Isolates Reveals Clade-Specific Metabolic Differences. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0049823. [PMID: 37097196 PMCID: PMC10269459 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00498-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogen that causes outbreaks of invasive infections, emerged as four distinct geographical clades. Previous studies identified genomic and proteomic differences in nutrient utilization on comparison to Candida albicans, suggesting that certain metabolic features may contribute to C. auris emergence. Since no high-throughput clade-specific metabolic characterization has been described yet, we performed a phenotypic screening of C. auris strains from all 4 clades on 664 nutrients, 120 chemicals, and 24 stressors. We identified common and clade- or strain-specific responses, including the preferred utilization of various dipeptides as nitrogen source and the inability of the clade II isolate AR 0381 to withstand chemical stress. Further analysis of the metabolic properties of C. auris isolates showed robust growth on intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, such as citrate and succinic and malic acids. However, there was reduced or no growth on pyruvate, lactic acid, or acetate, likely due to the lack of the monocarboxylic acid transporter Jen1, which is conserved in most pathogenic Candida species. Comparison of C. auris and C. albicans transcriptomes of cells grown on alternative carbon sources and dipeptides as a nitrogen source revealed common as well as species-unique responses. C. auris induced a significant number of genes with no ortholog in C. albicans, e.g., genes similar to the nicotinic acid transporter TNA1 (alternative carbon sources) and to the oligopeptide transporter (OPT) family (dipeptides). Thus, C. auris possesses unique metabolic features which could have contributed to its emergence as a pathogen. IMPORTANCE Four main clades of the emerging, multidrug-resistant human pathogen Candida auris have been identified, and they differ in their susceptibilities to antifungals and disinfectants. Moreover, clade- and strain-specific metabolic differences have been identified, but a comprehensive overview of nutritional characteristics and resistance to various stressors is missing. Here, we performed high-throughput phenotypic characterization of C. auris on various nutrients, stressors, and chemicals and obtained transcriptomes of cells grown on selected nutrients. The generated data sets identified multiple clade- and strain-specific phenotypes and induction of C. auris-specific metabolic genes, showing unique metabolic properties. The presented work provides a large amount of information for further investigations that could explain the role of metabolism in emergence and pathogenicity of this multidrug-resistant fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Brandt
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University, and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mohammad H. Mirhakkak
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Lysett Wagner
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University, and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Anna Möslinger
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University, and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Pauline Fänder
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University, and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Sascha Schäuble
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Gianni Panagiotou
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Slavena Vylkova
- Septomics Research Center, Friedrich Schiller University, and Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
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28
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Kiyohara M, Miyazaki T, Okamoto M, Hirayama T, Makimura K, Chibana H, Nakada N, Ito Y, Sumiyoshi M, Ashizawa N, Takeda K, Iwanaga N, Takazono T, Izumikawa K, Yanagihara K, Kohno S, Mukae H. Evaluation of a Novel FKS1 R1354H Mutation Associated with Caspofungin Resistance in Candida auris Using the CRISPR-Cas9 System. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9050529. [PMID: 37233240 DOI: 10.3390/jof9050529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Outbreaks of invasive infections, with high mortality rates, caused by multidrug-resistant Candida auris have been reported worldwide. Although hotspot mutations in FKS1 are an established cause of echinocandin resistance, the actual contribution of these mutations to echinocandin resistance remains unknown. Here, we sequenced the FKS1 gene of a caspofungin-resistant clinical isolate (clade I) and identified a novel resistance mutation (G4061A inducing R1354H). We applied the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 system to generate a recovered strain (H1354R) in which only this single nucleotide mutation was reverted to its wild-type sequence. We also generated mutant strains with only the R1354H mutation introduced into C. auris wild-type strains (clade I and II) and analyzed their antifungal susceptibility. Compared to their parental strains, the R1354H mutants exhibited a 4- to 16-fold increase in caspofungin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) while the H1354R reverted strain exhibited a 4-fold decrease in caspofungin MIC. In a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis, the in vivo therapeutic effect of caspofungin was more closely related to the FKS1 R1354H mutation and the virulence of the strain than its in vitro MIC. The CRISPR-Cas9 system could thus aid in elucidating the mechanism underlying drug resistance in C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiko Kiyohara
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Taiga Miyazaki
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
- Division of Respirology, Rheumatology, Infectious Diseases, and Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Michiyo Okamoto
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Hirayama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Koichi Makimura
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Tokyo 192-0395, Japan
| | - Hiroji Chibana
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8673, Japan
| | - Nana Nakada
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Yuya Ito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Makoto Sumiyoshi
- Division of Respirology, Rheumatology, Infectious Diseases, and Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Ashizawa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Takeda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Naoki Iwanaga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Takahiro Takazono
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Koichi Izumikawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Katsunori Yanagihara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kohno
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mukae
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
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29
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Alvarez-Moreno CA, Morales-López S, Rodriguez GJ, Rodriguez JY, Robert E, Picot C, Ceballos-Garzon A, Parra-Giraldo CM, Le Pape P. The Mortality Attributable to Candidemia in C. auris Is Higher than That in Other Candida Species: Myth or Reality? J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9040430. [PMID: 37108885 PMCID: PMC10143486 DOI: 10.3390/jof9040430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris has become a major health threat due to its transmissibility, multidrug resistance and severe outcomes. In a case-control design, 74 hospitalised patients with candidemia were enrolled. In total, 22 cases (29.7%) and 52 controls (C. albicans, 21.6%; C. parapsilosis, 21.6%; C. tropicalis, 21.6%; C. glabrata, 1.4%) were included and analysed in this study. Risk factors, clinical and microbiological characteristics and outcomes of patients with C. auris and non-auris Candida species (NACS) candidemia were compared. Previous fluconazole exposure was significantly higher in C. auris candidemia patients (OR 3.3; 1.15–9.5). Most C. auris isolates were resistant to fluconazole (86.3%) and amphotericin B (59%) whilst NACS isolates were generally susceptible. No isolates resistant to echinocandins were detected. The average time to start antifungal therapy was 3.6 days. Sixty-three (85.1%) patients received adequate antifungal therapy, without significant differences between the two groups. The crude mortality at 30 and 90 days of candidemia was up to 37.8% and 40.5%, respectively. However, there was no difference in mortality both at 30 and 90 days between the group with candidemia by C. auris (31.8%) and by NACS (42.3%) (OR 0.6; 95% IC 0.24–1.97) and 36.4% and 42.3% (0.77; 0.27–2.1), respectively. In this study, mortality due to candidemia between C. auris and NACS was similar. Appropriate antifungal therapy in both groups may have contributed to finding no differences in outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A. Alvarez-Moreno
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Clínica Universitaria Colombia, Clínica Colsanitas, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +57-31-4330-2367
| | - Soraya Morales-López
- Grupo CINBIOS, Programa de Microbiología, Universidad Popular del Cesar, Valledupar 200004, Colombia
| | - Gerson J. Rodriguez
- Centro de Investigaciones Microbiológicas del Cesar (CIMCE), Valledupar 200002, Colombia
| | - Jose Y. Rodriguez
- Centro de Investigaciones Microbiológicas del Cesar (CIMCE), Valledupar 200002, Colombia
| | - Estelle Robert
- Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et de l’Immunité, Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, IICiMed, 10 UR1155, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Carine Picot
- Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et de l’Immunité, Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, IICiMed, 10 UR1155, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Andrés Ceballos-Garzon
- Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et de l’Immunité, Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, IICiMed, 10 UR1155, 44000 Nantes, France
- Unidad de Investigacion en Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de investigacion en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Claudia M. Parra-Giraldo
- Unidad de Investigacion en Proteómica y Micosis Humanas, Grupo de investigacion en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
| | - Patrice Le Pape
- Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et de l’Immunité, Nantes Université, CHU de Nantes, IICiMed, 10 UR1155, 44000 Nantes, France
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30
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Ohashi Y, Matono T, Suzuki S, Yoshino S, Alshahni MM, Komori A, Makimura K. The first case of clade I Candida auris candidemia in a patient with COVID-19 in Japan. J Infect Chemother 2023; 29:713-717. [PMID: 37001753 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Candida auris is a health hazard because of its antifungal resistance and the potential to cause healthcare-associated outbreaks. To our knowledge, no previous cases of candidemia caused by C. auris have been reported in Japan. Herein, we report the first known case of clade I C. auris candidemia in a Japanese man with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection who was medically evacuated from the Philippines. A 71-year-old Japanese man traveled to Cebu Island in the Philippines 5 months before admission to our hospital. He contracted severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the Philippines and was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in a local hospital. During his medical evacuation, we implemented precautions given his history of COVID-19 and pneumonia caused by multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii complex. His blood culture revealed that C. auris infection was treated with antifungal agents but he did not survive. No evidence of nosocomial transmission was found among other patients in the ICU. This case study determines that accurate detection of C. auris, appropriate antifungal agent selection, precautions, and patient isolation are crucial to prevent nosocomial outbreaks, especially in patients with a history of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) colonization or international hospitalization. Medical professionals should recognize the risk of MDROs in international medical evacuation settings, considering the recent resumption of cross-border travel after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Ohashi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aso Iizuka Hospital, Japan
| | - Takashi Matono
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aso Iizuka Hospital, Japan.
| | - Shotaro Suzuki
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Aso Iizuka Hospital, Japan
| | - Shumpei Yoshino
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Aso Iizuka Hospital, Japan
| | | | - Aya Komori
- Teikyo University Institute of Medical Mycology, Japan
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31
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Martins-Santana L, Rezende CP, Rossi A, Martinez-Rossi NM, Almeida F. Addressing Microbial Resistance Worldwide: Challenges over Controlling Life-Threatening Fungal Infections. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020293. [PMID: 36839565 PMCID: PMC9961291 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections are a serious global concern because of their ability to spread and colonize host tissues in immunocompromised individuals. Such infections have been frequently reported worldwide and are currently gaining clinical research relevance owing to their resistant character, representing a bottleneck in treating affected people. Resistant fungi are an emergent public health threat. The upsurge of such pathogens has led to new research toward unraveling the destructive potential evoked by these species. Some fungi-grouped into Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus-are causative agents of severe and systemic infections. They are associated with high mortality rates and have recently been described as sources of coinfection in COVID-hospitalized patients. Despite the efforts to elucidate the challenges of colonization, dissemination, and infection severity, the immunopathogenesis of fungal diseases remains a pivotal characteristic in fungal burden elimination. The struggle between the host immune system and the physiological strategies of the fungi to maintain cellular viability is complex. In this brief review, we highlight the relevance of drug resistance phenotypes in fungi of clinical significance, taking into consideration their physiopathology and how the scientific community could orchestrate their efforts to avoid fungal infection dissemination and deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Martins-Santana
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Caroline Patini Rezende
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Antonio Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Nilce Maria Martinez-Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
| | - Fausto Almeida
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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Candida auris as an Emergent Public Health Problem: A Current Update on European Outbreaks and Cases. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11030425. [PMID: 36767000 PMCID: PMC9914380 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11030425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is considered to be an emerging fungal pathogen and is related to high mortality rates, persistent candidemia, inconsistencies in susceptibility testing results and misidentification by available commercial identification systems. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and pandrug-resistant (PDR) strains are increasingly detected. In Europe, hospital outbreaks caused by C. auris have been reported in the United Kingdom (UK), Italy and Spain; however, several cases have been sporadically detected in all European countries. C. auris is difficult to control despite enhanced control measures due to its ability to survive for a long time in environments and colonize patients for prolonged periods. An adequate laboratory diagnostic capacity and national surveillance are fundamental to rapidly detect new C. auris cases and to apply the correct measures to circumscribe them and prevent their spread. Our narrative review aims to highlight the primary C. auris outbreaks and case reports that have occurred in Europe.
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Heindel J, Zweigner J, Fuchs F, Hamprecht A. Usefulness of screening for Candida auris colonisation in international patients admitted to a large university hospital. Mycoses 2023; 66:138-143. [PMID: 36135346 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Candida auris is an emerging pathogen in health care-associated infections. In contrast to many other countries with rising numbers of C. auris, only seven cases have been reported in Germany from 2015 to 2017, mostly from patients who received prior medical treatment abroad. We therefore established a mandatory screening for C. auris colonisation at our tertiary care centre for all patients who were admitted as international patients or previously hospitalised in a foreign country within the past 6 months. METHODS Colonisation of patients was assessed using a previously established screening protocol for multidrug resistant bacteria. Since 2017, all screening samples were additionally analysed for C. auris using CHROMagar Candida (CHROMagar, Paris, France). Yeast isolates were identified using matrix-assisted laser ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI TOF), except for C. albicans (identified by the typical green colour on chromogenic agar). Data were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS Our study cohort included 655 patients and an overall number of 1399 samples. Fifty-three patients were colonised with Candida species (C. albicans, n = 37; C. glabrata, n = 14; others n = 9). No case of C. auris was detected. Candida spp. were mainly detected from respiratory samples (5.4% positive) and gastrointestinal specimen (5.2%). Laboratory costs were 14,689 € and analyses resulted in 98.7 h of additional technician's work. CONCLUSION No colonisation with C. auris was detected among patients with previous hospitalisation abroad. Universal C. auris screening of patients with any contact to foreign health care does not seem to be cost-effective in our setting and more targeted screening strategies have to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Heindel
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Janine Zweigner
- Department of Infection Control and Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Frieder Fuchs
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Axel Hamprecht
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Institute for Medical Microbiology and Virology, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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Rabaan AA, Eljaaly K, Alfouzan WA, Mutair AA, Alhumaid S, Alfaraj AH, Aldawood Y, Alsaleh AA, Albayat H, Azmi RA, AlKaabi N, Alzahrani SJ, AlBahrani S, Sulaiman T, Alshukairi AN, Abuzaid AA, Garout M, Ahmad R, Muhammad J. Psychogenetic, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in Candida auris: Role in drug resistance. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16:257-263. [PMID: 36608452 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, we are facing the challenge of drug resistance emergence in fungi. The availability of limited antifungals and development of multi-drug resistance in fungal pathogens has become a serious concern in the past years in the health sector. Although several cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms have been proposed to explain the drug resistance mechanism in fungi, but a complete understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms is still lacking. Besides the genetic mechanism, epigenetic mechanisms are pivotal in the fungal lifecycle and disease biology. However, very little is understood about the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the emergence of multi-drug resistance in fungi, especially in Candida auris (C. auris). The current narrative review summaries the clinical characteristics, genomic organization, and molecular/genetic/epigenetic mechanisms underlying the emergence of drug resistance in C. auris. A very few studies have attempted to evaluate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in C. auris. Furthermore, advanced genetic tools such as the CRISP-Cas9 system can be utilized to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms and their role in the emergence of multi-drug resistance in C. auris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan.
| | - Khalid Eljaaly
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Pharmacy Practice and Science Department, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Wadha A Alfouzan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait; Microbiology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Farwania Hospital, Farwania 85000, Kuwait
| | - Abbas Al Mutair
- Research Center, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al-Ahsa 36342, Saudi Arabia; College of Nursing, Princess Norah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia; School of Nursing, Wollongong University, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Nursing Department, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, Dhahran 33048, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Alhumaid
- Administration of Pharmaceutical Care, Al-Ahsa Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal H Alfaraj
- Pediatric Department, Abqaiq General Hospital, First Eastern Health Cluster, Abqaiq 33261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yahya Aldawood
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmonem A Alsaleh
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hawra Albayat
- Infectious Disease Department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh 7790, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reyouf Al Azmi
- Infection Prevention and Control, Eastern Health Cluster, Dammam 32253, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal AlKaabi
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Abu Dhabi, 51900, United Arab Emirates; College of Medicine and Health Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Samira J Alzahrani
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran 31932, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salma AlBahrani
- Infectious Disease Unit, Specialty Internal Medicine, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran 31932, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tarek Sulaiman
- Infectious Diseases Section, Medical Specialties Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer N Alshukairi
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmonem A Abuzaid
- Medical Microbiology Department, Security Forces Hospital Programme, Dammam 32314, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Garout
- Department of Community Medicine and Health Care for Pilgrims, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rafiq Ahmad
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Javed Muhammad
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan.
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Rossi A, Chavez J, Iverson T, Hergert J, Oakeson K, LaCross N, Njoku C, Gorzalski A, Gerrity D. Candida auris Discovery through Community Wastewater Surveillance during Healthcare Outbreak, Nevada, USA, 2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:422-425. [PMID: 36692459 PMCID: PMC9881792 DOI: 10.3201/eid2902.221523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris transmission is steadily increasing across the United States. We report culture-based detection of C. auris in wastewater and the epidemiologic link between isolated strains and southern Nevada, USA, hospitals within the sampled sewershed. Our results illustrate the potential of wastewater surveillance for containing C. auris.
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Spettel K, Kriz R, Wu C, Achter L, Schmid S, Galazka S, Selitsch B, Camp I, Makristathis A, Lagler H, Willinger B. Candida auris in Austria-What Is New and What Is Different. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9020129. [PMID: 36836244 PMCID: PMC9962151 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a novel and emerging pathogenic yeast which represents a serious global health threat. Since its first description in Japan 2009, it has been associated with large hospital outbreaks all over the world and is often resistant to more than one antifungal drug class. To date, five C. auris isolates have been detected in Austria. Morphological characterization and antifungal susceptibility profiles against echinocandins, azoles, polyenes and pyrimidines, as well as the new antifungals ibrexafungerp and manogepix, were determined. In order to assess pathogenicity of these isolates, an infection model in Galleria mellonella was performed and whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis was conducted to determine the phylogeographic origin. We could characterize four isolates as South Asian clade I and one isolate as African clade III. All of them had elevated minimal inhibitory concentrations to at least two different antifungal classes. The new antifungal manogepix showed high in vitro efficacy against all five C. auris isolates. One isolate, belonging to the African clade III, showed an aggregating phenotype, while the other isolates belonging to South Asian clade I were non-aggregating. In the Galleria mellonella infection model, the isolate belonging to African clade III exhibited the lowest in vivo pathogenicity. As the occurrence of C. auris increases globally, it is important to raise awareness to prevent transmission and hospital outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Spettel
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Kriz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Wu
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Achter
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Schmid
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sonia Galazka
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitte Selitsch
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Iris Camp
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Athanasios Makristathis
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Heimo Lagler
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Willinger
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-140400-51510
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Xie F, Hao Y, Bao J, Liu J, Liu Y, Wang R, Chi X, Chai X, Wang T, Yu S, Jin Y, Yan L, Zhang D, Ni T. Design, synthesis, and in vitro evaluation of novel antifungal triazoles containing substituted 1,2,3-triazole-methoxyl side chains. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106216. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Bassetti M, Giacobbe DR, Vena A, Esposito S. An overview of micafungin as a treatment option for invasive candidiasis in pediatric patients younger than 4 months old. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:1987-1993. [DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2147824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bassetti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniele Roberto Giacobbe
- Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonio Vena
- Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Susanna Esposito
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Fungicidal activity of human antimicrobial peptides and their synergistic interaction with common antifungals against multidrug-resistant Candida auris. Int Microbiol 2022; 26:165-177. [PMID: 36329309 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-022-00290-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Emergence of Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, demonstrates the urgent need for novel antifungal agents. Human antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring molecules with wide spectrum antimicrobial activity, particularly against a variety of fungi. Therefore, this study examined the antifungal activity of seven different human AMPs against C. auris following the CLSI guidelines. The antifungal activity was further assessed using time kill curve and cell viability assays. For combination interaction, effectiveness of these peptides with three antifungals, fluconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin was done following standard protocols. To elucidate the antifungal mechanism, the effects of peptides on membrane permeability were investigated using propidium iodide staining method and confocal imaging. Antifungal susceptibility results showed that all the examined peptides possessed fungicidal effect against C. auris at different levels, with human β-defensin-3 being the most potent antifungal with MIC values ranging from 3.125 to 12.5 µg/ml. Time kill curves further confirmed the killing effect of all the tested peptides. Viability assay showed a significant decrease in the percentage of viable cells exposed to different inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations of each peptide (p < 0.01). Furthermore, peptides showed mostly synergistic interaction when combined with conventional antifungal drugs, with caspofungin showing 100% synergy when combined with different AMPs. As antifungal mechanism, peptides disrupted the membrane permeability at concentrations that correlated with the inhibition of growth. Overall, the findings of this study point towards the application of the tested peptides as a monotherapy or as a combination therapy with antifungal drugs to treat multidrug-resistant C. auris infections.
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Thatchanamoorthy N, Rukumani Devi V, Chandramathi S, Tay ST. Candida auris: A Mini Review on Epidemiology in Healthcare Facilities in Asia. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1126. [PMID: 36354893 PMCID: PMC9696804 DOI: 10.3390/jof8111126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, a newly emerging healthcare-associated yeast pathogen from the Metschnikowiaceae family, was first described in the ear canal of an elderly Japanese patient in 2009. The yeast is one of the causative agents of candidemia, which has been linked with nosocomial outbreaks and high mortality rates in healthcare facilities worldwide. Since its first isolation, the occurrence of C. auris in six continents has becomes a grave concern for the healthcare professionals and scientific community. Recent reports showed the identification of five geographically distinct clades and high rates of antifungal resistance associated with C. auris. Till date, there are no effective treatment options, and standardized measures for prevention and control of C. auris infection in healthcare facilities. This leads to frequent therapeutic failures and complicates the eradication of C. auris infection in healthcare facilities. Thus, this review focuses on the recent understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, transmission and prevention and control strategies of C. auris infection in healthcare facilities in Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishanthinie Thatchanamoorthy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
| | - Velayuthan Rukumani Devi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Malaya Medical Centre, Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
| | - Samudi Chandramathi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
| | - Sun Tee Tay
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
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Rossato L, Simionatto S, Serafini MR, Alves IA. New Technologies to Diagnose and Treat a Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris: A Patent Review. Mycopathologia 2022; 187:535-546. [PMID: 36194378 PMCID: PMC9529600 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-022-00669-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Candida auris is responsible for hospital outbreaks worldwide. Some C. auris isolates may show concomitant resistance to azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes, thereby possibly leaving clinicians with few therapeutic options. In addition, this multi-drug-resistant yeast is difficult to identify with conventional methods and has the ability to persist on environmental surfaces causing hospital-acquired infections. The development of new treatment options and tools for identification is critical to control, prevent, and establish an early diagnosis of this emerging pathogen. The aim of this study was to perform a critical patent review to explore and identify the latest advances in therapeutic strategies as well as diagnostic methods for C. auris. A total of 19 patents were identified for a preliminary assessment from the Espacenet database. Three patents were excluded as they were out of focus for this review according to their abstract and/or description. The final selection covered 16 patents, which were surveyed by country, year and classified as treatment or diagnostic methods for C. auris. As noted in the patent reading, in recent years, the interest of academic, government and industry sectors have shown an increasing tendency focused on research and development of new therapeutic molecules and diagnostic methods to combat this emerging pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Rossato
- Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados-UFGD, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Simone Simionatto
- Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados-UFGD, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Mairim Russo Serafini
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Izabel Almeida Alves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas da Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil.,Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
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The Menace of Candida auris Epidemic Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Diseases 2022; 10:diseases10030058. [PMID: 36135214 PMCID: PMC9497911 DOI: 10.3390/diseases10030058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has sparked a medical emergency worldwide. With the rise in COVID-19 infections and an eventual increase in hospitalized critically ill patients, a trend of bacterial, fungal, and viral superinfection has been noted. One important agent of co-infection identified is Candida auris. Due to its multidrug-resistant nature and easy transmissibility, C. auris is difficult to manage in COVID-positive patients. Patients with comorbidities, immunosuppressive states, intubated and on ventilators are more likely to contract the fungal infection. Therefore, it is essential to the first screen, diagnose, and isolate patients with C. auris infection and manage and treat them while preventing the spread of the disease. Failure to recognize and prevent its spread may lead to an eventual epidemic or even a pandemic during the current COVID-pandemic, which the exhausted healthcare system can most definitely not handle. This systematic review investigates the prevalence of C. auris, its pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Infection Control Measures against Candidaauris in Healthcare Facilities. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10081625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast with high mortality rate, especially in patients with underlying co-morbidities. It has been known to contaminate the environment and colonize human skin for prolonged periods in healthcare settings leading to difficult-to-control outbreaks. However, there is limited literature on the efficacy of different disinfectants/antiseptics, which can effectively decontaminate the environment and decolonize patients to prevent the spread of C. auris. This review highlights recommendations available in the literature for detection and control of C. auris in healthcare settings. Detection of C. auris by biochemical and automated methods has often been misleading. Availability of C. auris-specific PCR can prove to be a more reliable technique for detection of C. auris. Control measures for transmission of C. auris include use of registered hospital grade disinfectant active against Clostridium difficile cleaning the environment and equipment and chlorhexidine for decolonization of patients. Hand hygiene using soap and water, followed by use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer for maximal disinfection, is recommended for healthcare workers.
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Prevalence of Fungal Drug Resistance in COVID-19 Infection: a Global Meta-analysis. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2022; 16:154-164. [PMID: 35990407 PMCID: PMC9376562 DOI: 10.1007/s12281-022-00439-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Secondary bacterial or fungal infections are one of the most important medical complications among patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) candida can cause many problems such as treatment failure, adverse clinical outcomes, and even disease outbreaks. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the prevalence and outcomes of fungal drug-resistant in COVID-19 patients. Methods PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for peer reviewed-articles published in English up to May 20, 2021. Heterogeneity across studies was evaluated using Cochrane’s Q test and the I2 index. The pooled point prevalence and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were considered to estimate the prevalence of fungal drug resistance infection in COVID-19 patients. Results Eight eligible articles were included in our meta-analysis. The number of COVID-19 patients with fungal co-infection varied from 5 to 35 among selected studies. The overall pooled prevalence of fungal drug resistance among patients with co-infections of fungal and COVID-19 was 69% (95% CI: 37%, 94%) by using a random-effects model. In terms of specific species, the pooled meta-analysis for Candida Auris was estimated to be 100% (95%CI: 98%, 100%; I2 = 0%), for Multi-Candida 59% (95%CI: 38%, 79%; I2 = 12.5%), and for Aspergillus 15% (95%CI: 0%, 42%; I2 = 0%). Conclusion Our study shows the high prevalence of fungal drug resistance in COVID-19 patients and emphasizes the need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs, close monitoring for treatment failure, and the emergence of resistance upon treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12281-022-00439-9.
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Crawford LC, Kidd SE, Anninos TM, Turra M, Weldhagen GF. Candida auris PCR for high throughput screening. Med Mycol 2022; 60:6655997. [PMID: 35927750 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida auris has significant implications for infection control due to its multidrug resistance and spread in healthcare settings. Current culture-based screening methods are laborious and risks muco-cutaneous colonisation of laboratory staff. We describe the adaptation of a published real-time PCR for the identification of C. auris in skin swabs for high throughput infection control screening. Two published primer and probe sets were analysed utilising serial 10-fold dilutions of fifteen C. auris strains to assess the PCR limit of detection. One primer and probe set was compatible with our laboratory workflow and was selected for further development yielding a limit of detection of 1 colony forming unit (CFU) per reaction. Non-C. auris isolates, as well as routine skin swabs (n = 100) were tested by culture and PCR to assess specificity, where no cross-reactivity was detected. Skin swabs from a proven C. auris case (n = 6) were all both culture positive and PCR positive, while surveillance swabs from close contacts (n = 46) were all both culture negative and PCR negative. Finally, use of a lysis buffer comprising 4 M guanidinium thiocyanate rendered swab-equivalent quantities of C. auris non-viable, providing assurance of the safety benefit of PCR over culture. The development of a PCR assay for high throughput infection control screening is a promising method for rapid detection of C. auris with utility in an outbreak setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy C Crawford
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sarah E Kidd
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,National Mycology Reference Centre (NMRC), SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Terry M Anninos
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Mark Turra
- Epidemiology and Public Health Laboratory, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gerhard F Weldhagen
- National Mycology Reference Centre (NMRC), SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Ge X, Gao M, He B, Cao N, Li K, Liu Y, Tang S, Liu K, Zhang J, Hu F, Zheng L, Situ B. Rapid and high-throughput testing of antifungal susceptibility using an AIEgen-based analytical system. Biomaterials 2022; 287:121618. [PMID: 35691187 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The increasing resistance among fungi to antimicrobials are posing global threats to health. Early treatment with appropriate antifungal drugs guided by the antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) can dramatically reduce the mortality of severe fungal infections. However, the long test time (24-48 h) of the standard AFSTs cannot provide timely results due to the slow growth of the pathogen. Herein, we report a new AFST that is independent of growth rate analysis using a luminogen with aggregation-induced emission characteristics (AIEgen) named DMASP. DMASP is a water-soluble small-molecule probe that can readily penetrate the dense fungal cell wall. Based on its mitochondria-targeting ability and AIE characteristics, fungal activity can be dynamically indicated via real-time fluorescence monitoring. This allows fungal susceptibility to various antimicrobials to be assessed within 12 h in a wash-free, one-step manner. This method may serve as a promising tool to rapidly detect possible drug-resistant fungal strain and guide the precise use of antimicrobial against fungal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Ge
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Meng Gao
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bairong He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Nannan Cao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Kerun Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Kingmed Virology Diagnostic & Translational Center, Guangzhou Kingmed Center for Clinical Laboratory Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, 510330, China
| | - Sanmei Tang
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510091, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Institute of Marine Drugs, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Fang Hu
- Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
| | - Bo Situ
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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Sutar Y, Nabeela S, Singh S, Alqarihi A, Solis N, Ghebremariam T, Filler S, Ibrahim AS, Date A, Uppuluri P. Niclosamide-loaded nanoparticles disrupt Candida biofilms and protect mice from mucosal candidiasis. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001762. [PMID: 35976859 PMCID: PMC9385045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans biofilms are a complex multilayer community of cells that are resistant to almost all classes of antifungal drugs. The bottommost layers of biofilms experience nutrient limitation where C. albicans cells are required to respire. We previously reported that a protein Ndu1 is essential for Candida mitochondrial respiration; loss of NDU1 causes inability of C. albicans to grow on alternative carbon sources and triggers early biofilm detachment. Here, we screened a repurposed library of FDA-approved small molecule inhibitors to identify those that prevent NDU1-associated functions. We identified an antihelminthic drug, Niclosamide (NCL), which not only prevented growth on acetate, C. albicans hyphenation and early biofilm growth, but also completely disengaged fully grown biofilms of drug-resistant C. albicans and Candida auris from their growth surface. To overcome the suboptimal solubility and permeability of NCL that is well known to affect its in vivo efficacy, we developed NCL-encapsulated Eudragit EPO (an FDA-approved polymer) nanoparticles (NCL-EPO-NPs) with high niclosamide loading, which also provided long-term stability. The developed NCL-EPO-NPs completely penetrated mature biofilms and attained anti-biofilm activity at low microgram concentrations. NCL-EPO-NPs induced ROS activity in C. albicans and drastically reduced oxygen consumption rate in the fungus, similar to that seen in an NDU1 mutant. NCL-EPO-NPs also significantly abrogated mucocutaneous candidiasis by fluconazole-resistant strains of C. albicans, in mice models of oropharyngeal and vulvovaginal candidiasis. To our knowledge, this is the first study that targets biofilm detachment as a target to get rid of drug-resistant Candida biofilms and uses NPs of an FDA-approved nontoxic drug to improve biofilm penetrability and microbial killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh Sutar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai’i at Hilo, Hilo, Hawaii, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R.K. Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Sunna Nabeela
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
| | - Shakti Singh
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
| | - Abdullah Alqarihi
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
| | - Norma Solis
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
| | - Teklegiorgis Ghebremariam
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
| | - Scott Filler
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
| | - Ashraf S. Ibrahim
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Abhijit Date
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawai’i at Hilo, Hilo, Hawaii, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, R.K. Coit College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Priya Uppuluri
- Division of Infectious Disease, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States of America
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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Tu J, Liu N, Huang Y, Yang W, Sheng C. Small molecules for combating multidrug-resistant superbug Candida auris infections. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:4056-4074. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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Silver Nanoparticles: A Promising Antifungal Agent against the Growth and Biofilm Formation of the Emergent Candida auris. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070744. [PMID: 35887498 PMCID: PMC9315473 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a globally-emerging pathogen that is correlated to nosocomial infections and high mortality rates, causing major outbreaks in hospitals and serious public health concerns worldwide. This study investigated the antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on clinical isolates of C. auris. A total of eight clinical isolates were collected from blood, urine, ear swab, and groin. C. auris was confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS, and gene sequencing. All isolates confirmed as C. auris were subjected to antimicrobial agents, including amphotericin B, fluconazole, caspofungin, voriconazole, micafungin, and flucytosine. A serial dilution of a silver nanoparticles solution was prepared to test antifungal susceptibility testing under planktonic conditions. Moreover, an antibiofilm activity assay was determined using a colony-forming assay and a cell viability assay by a live−dead yeast kit. Significant antifungal and antibiofilm activity of AgNPs was detected against all isolates; MIC was <6.25 μg/mL, the range of MFC was from 6.25 to 12.5 μg/mL for all isolates, and the highest value of IC50 was 3.2 μg/mL. Silver nanomaterials could represent a possible antimicrobial agent to prevent outbreaks caused by C. auris infections.
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Tsai YT, Lu PL, Tang HJ, Huang CH, Hung WC, Tseng YT, Lee KM, Lin SY. The First Invasive Candida auris Infection in Taiwan. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:1867-1875. [PMID: 35811508 PMCID: PMC9336481 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2100280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Candida auris, a multidrug resistant pathogenic yeast, has spread worldwide and caused several outbreaks in healthcare settings. Here, we report the first case of C. auris candidemia in Taiwan in a patient with a two-month history of hospitalization in Vietnam. We performed further investigation on the isolate from the present case as well as the previously reported C. auris isolate identified from a wound in 2018 in Taiwan, which was the first case reported in Taiwan. Both C. auris isolates were found to be susceptible to fluconazole, amphotericin B, and echinocandins. Additionally, mutations in ERG11 or FKS1 were not detected in either isolate. Microsatellite genotyping revealed that both isolates belonged to the South Asian clade. In recent years, C. auris has emerged as a global concern, and differences in clades and susceptibility patterns mandate further awareness and systematic surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Te Tsai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Liang Lu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Jen Tang
- Department of Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Health and Nutrition, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hao Huang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chun Hung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Tseng
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Mu Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shang-Yi Lin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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