Phenotypic Detection of Genitourinary Candidiasis among Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Attendees in Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria

Utilizing the subtractive proteomics approach to design ensemble vaccine against Candida lusitaniae for immune response stimulation; a bioinformatics study

Vaccines have always been one of the promising therapeutic sources against many pathogens including infectious fungi. Candida lusitaniae is also one of those fungi which is responsible for different infections in human beings including vaginitis, endocarditis, endophthalmitis and blood stream infections. There is thus, a need to adopt effective therapeutic strategies to tackle such infections. Vaccine is one of those efficient therapeutic agents which stimulates immune response and prevents a certain infection to get hazardous. Keeping in view this very important concept, we have designed in-silico vaccine against C. lusitaniae by following the subtractive proteomics approach. Initially, the screening of therapeutic targets was performed to identify potent vaccine candidates from the whole proteome of C. lusitaniae. Several significant factors were taken into account in this context, such as stability index, IFN status, allergenicity, and antigenicity. As a result, four distinct proteins that were both antigenic and non-allergenic, were selected from the whole proteome. Furthermore, physiochemical investigation revealed that these vaccine candidates were stable and that their IFN status was positive. Notably, each of these proteins was non-homologous to human beings. This particular attribute of the selected proteins i.e., to be non-homologous, was made in order to possess the ability to trigger an immunological response in host (humans). Furthermore, the whole proteome (WP) vaccine was constructed accordingly. The structural modelling of all the selected vaccine candidates was then performed to proceed them further for docking with the human toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Afterwards, the codon optimization was executed, followed by in-silico cloning of the final vaccine construct. The pet28A plasmid was incorporated for this purpose while, the SnapGene tool was utilized for this particular analysis. Ultimately, the immune simulations were executed to assess the immune response of the designed vaccine (WP). Upon final results, it was found that highest count of IgG and IgM was achieved i.e., up to 700000 between the days 8 to 13 and then slowly neutralized till the day 30. These results signified that the designed vaccine possessed the potential to stimulate the required immune response.

Identification of Virulence Factors in Isolates of Candida haemulonii, Candida albicans and Clavispora lusitaniae with Low Susceptibility and Resistance to Fluconazole and Amphotericin B

Emerging life-threatening multidrug-resistant (MDR) species such as the C. haemulonii species complex, Clavispora lusitaniae (sin. C. lusitaniae), and other Candida species are considered as an increasing risk for human health in the near future. (1) Background: Many studies have emphasized that the increase in drug resistance can be associated with several virulence factors in Candida and its knowledge is also essential in developing new antifungal strategies. (2) Methods: Hydrophobicity, adherence, biofilm formation, lipase activity, resistance to osmotic stress, and virulence 'in vivo' on G. mellonella larvae were studied in isolates of C. haemulonii, C. albicans, and C. lusitaniae with low susceptibility and resistance to fluconazole and amphotericin B. (3) Results: Intra- and interspecies variability were observed. C. haemulonii showed high hydrophobicity and the ability to adhere to and form biofilm. C. lusitaniae was less hydrophobic, was biofilm-formation-strain-dependent, and did not show lipase activity. Larvae inoculated with C. albicans isolates displayed significantly higher mortality rates than those infected with C. haemulonii and C. lusitaniae. (4) Conclusions: The ability to adhere to and form biofilms associated with their hydrophobic capacity, to adapt to stress, and to infect within an in vivo model, observed in these non-wild-type Candida and Clavispora isolates, shows their marked virulence features. Since factors that define virulence are related to the development of the resistance of these fungi to the few antifungals available for clinical use, differences in the physiology of these cells must be considered to develop new antifungal therapies.

Candida lusitaniae, an Emerging Opportunistic Pathogen in Immunocompetent Populations: A Case Report

Candida lusitaniae is an emerging opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised hosts and hospitalized patients. However, the incidence is low in immunocompetent hosts. Because of their characteristic similarities, C. lusitaniae may be confused with other fungal species, such as Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, and even Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Recently reported cases of serious infections caused by C. lusitaniae have proven detrimental, and some cases reported amphotericin resistance. Here, we present a case report of empyema caused by C. lusitaniae in an immunocompetent patient who was admitted to the intensive care unit and intubated for acute hypoxic respiratory failure. This case demonstrates the importance of recognizing this organism and initiating early treatment for the prevention of fatal complications.

Candida lusitaniae: Biology, Pathogenicity, Virulence Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment

The incidence of fungal infections is increasing at an alarming rate and has posed a great challenge for science in recent years. The rise in these infections has been related to the increase in immunocompromised patients and the resistance of different species to antifungal drugs. Infections caused by the different Candida species, especially Candida albicans, are one of the most common mycoses in humans, and the etiological agents are considered opportunistic pathogens associated with high mortality rates when disseminated infections occur. Candida lusitaniae is considered an emerging opportunistic pathogen that most frequently affects immunocompromised patients with some comorbidity. Although it is a low-frequency pathogen, and the mortality rate of C. lusitaniae-caused candidemia does not exceed 5%, some isolates are known to be resistant to antifungals such as amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, and fluconazole. In this paper, a detailed review of the current literature on this organism and its different aspects, such as its biology, possible virulence factors, pathogen-host interaction, diagnosis, and treatment of infection, is provided. Of particular interest, through Blastp analysis we predicted possible virulence factors in this species.

Bilateral Candida keratitis in an HIV patient with asymptomatic genitourinary candidiasis in Uganda

A 35-year-old male presented with Candida keratitis in the left eye. He was HIV positive with a CD4 of 352 cells/µL. The eye quickly deteriorated, despite intensive antifungal treatment and was eviscerated. Five months later, he re-presented with Candida keratitis in his right eye. A focal source of Candida infection was suspected and a urine culture identified Candida spp, despite being asymptomatic for genitourinary candidiasis. He was subsequently treated with good outcome (max. 75 words)

Candida lusitaniae - a case report of an intraperitoneal infection

Candida lusitaniae is a rare opportunistic yeast which is known for its resistance to amphotericin B (AmB). It is responsible for about 19.3% of all infections caused by non-Candida albicans species, and for about 1.7% of all cases of genitourinary candidiasis brought about by the entire spectrum of Candida species. Most commonly it occurs in patients with hematologic malignancies, especially when a patient is receiving chemotherapy. Candida lusitaniae infection usually presents with fungemia; however, only 7.3% of all patients will develop peritonitis. This case study describes an immunocompetent female patient with an intraperitoneal infection caused by C. lusitaniae after laparoscopic hydrosalpinx surgery. The patient was treated with fluconazole according to susceptibility testing. Fluconazole was implemented both orally and by transvaginal injection into the space after the evacuated pseudocyst. Conservative treatment resulted in a temporary improvement of the patient's condition and a reduction of the pseudocyst. Candida lusitaniae is very similar to other Candida species in generating systemic and local infections - mainly in compromised patients. It is also unique in its ability to develop resistance to AmB. Proper identification and quick implementation of selective therapy with the right anti-fungal drug are crucial for successfully treating infected patients. Surgery should always be considered as a final treatment option.