Contribution to the study of the enzymatic profiles of yeast organisms with medical interest

The enzymatic profiles of several yeastlike organisms were studied using 19 substrates included in the API ZYM system. The isolates evaluated were: 186 Candida albicans, 19 C. stellatoidea, 4 C. tropicalis, 2 C. parapsilosis, 2 C. pseudotropicalis, 1 C. guilliermondii, 3 C. krusei, 11 Torulopsis (Candida) glabrata, 1 Cryptococcus neoformans, 2 Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, 1 Rhodotorula rubra, and 1 R. mucilaginosa. Esterase lipase (C8), leucine arylamidase, acid phosphatase, and phosphoamidase were detected in all of the isolates while trypsin and alpha-galactosidase were not found in any of the isolates using this system. The other enzymes were produced to a variable degree. The different enzymatic profiles might prove useful in the rapid differential diagnosis of genera and species of these yeastlike organisms. To this end, more extensive studies using more isolates of each species will be required, and enzymatic activity should be verified with other techniques and substrates.     

The first clinical isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida dubliniensis</Emphasis> in Slovakia

Candida dubliniensis, yeast closely related to Candida albicans, is a new pathogen associated mainly with infections of immunocompromised hosts. In this study, we report the first isolation of three isolates of C. dubliniensis in Slovakia. The first selection of both C. albicans and C. dubliniensis from the other Candida species was done on the basis of specific green color of primoculture grown on CHROMagar Candida. The presumptive identification was completed by supplemental tests: germ-tube formation, production of chlamydospores, ability or inability to grow at 42 and 45,°C and by commercial set API 20C AUX. Parallely, the discrimination between both species was performed by PCR assay using primers specific for Candida dubliniensis     

以分子生物学鉴定结果为“金标准”评估Rapid ID Yeast Plus及API20C AUX对酵母样真菌的鉴定效能

目的 以分子生物学方法为“金标准”对两种商品化酵母样真菌鉴定产品Rapid ID Yeast Plus（简称RapIDYST）及API20C AUX（简称API20C）的鉴定效能进行评估.方法 从2010年中国医院侵袭性真菌感染监测网菌株库中筛选酵母样真菌25种,共计194株.其中,包含临床最常见的5种酵母样真菌（白念珠菌、热带念珠菌、光滑念珠菌、近平滑念珠菌、新生隐球菌）共130株,占研究总菌株数的67.0％.所有菌株已经过分子生物学方法准确鉴定至种水平.菌株复苏分纯后,严格按照产品操作指南,平行进行RapID YST和API20C鉴定.结果 所研究菌株中,有181株（18种）在RapID YST鉴定菌种数据库中,所有在库菌株种及复合体鉴定正确率为87.8％（159/181）.相比,API鉴定菌种库包含菌株174株（18种）,在库菌株种及复合体鉴定正确率为92.0％ （160/174）.RapID YST与API20C对于5种临床常见的酵母样真菌的种鉴定正确率分别为93.1％和97.1％.对于库外菌株,RapID YST的鉴定错误率分别为23.1％（3/13）,相比API20C的鉴定错误率为60.0％ （12/20）.综合此次评估结果,二者对酵母样真菌的鉴定效能无显著差异（McNemar检验,P＞0.05）.结论 两种商品化产品对酵母样真菌的鉴定效能基本一致;相较而言,RapID YST在操作便捷性、检测时间方面具有较大优势.     

Control of dimorphism in a biochemical variant of Candida albicans

The cellular morphology of a biochemical variant of Candida albicans could be controlled by the ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen in the culture system or by individual amino acids. Predominantly pseudohyphal morphology was observed (i) at a CO(2) to O(2) ratio of 2:1 and (ii) without the addition of carbon dioxide, when either glycine, d- or l-ornithine, l-serine, l-methionine, l-phenylalanine, or l-tyrosine was the sole nitrogen source in the culture medium. When ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, l-glutamic acid, l-glutamine, or l-proline was the nitrogen source, yeastlike growth was observed in the presence or absence of CO(2). More adenosylmethionine was present in pseudohyphal than in yeastlike cells, and pseudohyphal cell wall preparations contained less methionine than cell walls from the yeastlike form. These results suggest a correlation between sulfur amino acid metabolism and dimorphism.     

Induction of mycelial type of development in Candida albicans by low glucose concentration

A new simple method for synchronous germ tube production in Candida albicans has been described, based on the further incubation of cells released from stationary grown cultures in aerated mineral medium enriched with vitamins and low glucose concentration (5 mmol/l). At higher initial glucose (e.g. 250 mmol/l) the growth proceeded in yeastlike form. At low glucose concentration germ tubes developed at 28°C which is in contradiction with the results of many authors, considering 37°C besides other factors to be an inevitable requirement. On the other hand the cell population from stationary growth phase was the absolute prerequisite for massive germ tube production. Its importance for other inductive techniques is assumed.The report brings comparative results concerning the physiological and biochemical properties as well as the ultrastructure of the yeastlike and mycelial forms. Neither were found any differences in respiration intensity nor in respiration quotients during the development of both growth forms. Slight dissimilarities resulted from the incorporation experiments (using ¹⁴C labeled adenine, leucine and especially glycine). The mycelial cell walls were found to contain twice as much chitin as the yeastlike form.Some suggestion for further biochemical elucidation of dimorphism in Candida albicans and fungal morphogenesis generally are presented.     

深部真菌感染临床特点分析

目的了解深部真菌感染患者的性别、年龄、感染部位、住院科室、菌种分布及真菌耐药情况,为临床防治真菌感染提供研究依据。方法收集荆州市中心医院2009年1月至2009年12月微生物实验室分离的真菌446株,采用科马嘉显色琼脂及API220C Aux鉴定系统鉴定,并使用ATMTMFUNGUS3真菌药敏卡进行体外药敏试验。结果临床真菌感染男性占72%,以老年患者为主,大于60岁者占54.9%;感染的真菌主要分布于呼吸内科和ICU,分别占35.5%、24.9%;主要感染部位为呼吸道,占91.3%;主要菌种为白假丝酵母菌、热带念株菌、近平滑假丝酵母菌、光滑念株菌和克柔念株菌,分别占64.2%、13.2%、9.6%、7.6%和5.4%;合并细菌感染的感染真菌100株,占22.2%,细菌中以革兰阴杆性菌为主,占96%;药敏试验结果显示真菌对各抗真菌药具有较好的敏感性。结论临床真菌感染已日益突出,以呼吸科及ICU患者老年男性为主,儿童真菌感染亦不容忽视,感染菌种以白假丝酵母菌和热带念株菌为主,临床应加强对这些真菌感染的预防和监测,防止真菌感染。     

Susceptibility to antifungal agents of Candida sp. and biofilm formation

In recent years the increase in frequency of fungal infections with Candida sp. was noticed. These infections are connected with ability of Candida sp. to form biofilm on surfaces of biomaterials used in medicine. Furthermore fungal infections make serious therapeutic problems because ofbiofilm resistance to antifungal agents actually. The aim of the study was to evaluate the susceptibility to antifungal agents of Candida sp. and their ability to form biofilm on different biomaterials. 50 strains of Candida sp. isolated from patients of University Hospital No. 1 of dr A. Jurasz in Bydgoszcz were examined. API Candida (bioMérieux) tests were used to identify Candida sp. strains. The susceptibility of the yeast strains to antifungal agents was evaluated by ATB FUNGUS 2 INT (bioMérieux) tests. The susceptibility of examined strains to voriconazole, posaconazole, caspofungin and anidulafungin was assessed by means ofEtests (AB BIODISK) method employing drug concentrations from 0,002 to 32 microg/ml. All analysed strains were susceptible to amphotericin B and caspofungin. Biofilm formation on different biomaterials (silicon, latex, polychloride vinyl, polypropylene, nylon) was measured after 72 hour incubation at 37 degrees C. All examined yeasts formed biofilm on all analysed biomaterials. The highest number of strains formed biofilm on surface of polychloride vinyl: 23 (92,0%) by C. albicans strains and 24 (96,0%) Candida non-albicans strains. The lowest number of the strains formed biofilm on the surface of nylon: 12 (48,0%) of C. albicans strains and 9 (36,0%) of Candida non-albicans strains. The studied strains resistant to azoles and anidulafungin display stronger ability to form biofilm on surfaces of all analysed biomaterials.     

Ultrastructural Changes During the Yeastlike to Mycelial-Phase Conversion of Blastomyces dermatitidis and Histoplasma capsulatum

Fine details of the sequential anatomical events occurring during yeast to mold morphogenesis of the dimorphic fungal pathogens Blastomyces dermatitidis and Histoplasma capsulatum as seen in ultrathin sections are described and illustrated by electron micrographs. Discrete intracytoplasmic membrane systems intimately associated with the plasma membrane were observed to be formed within 6 to 8 hr after induction of the conversion process. Within 12 to 18 hr, an intermediate or transitional cell with Woronin bodies at the septum was formed from the converting yeastlike cell. Both cells were noted to contain increased numbers of mitochondria. At approximately 48 hr from the initial induction of the conversion stimuli, the newly forming hyphal cells were observed to produce postconversional intracytoplasmic membrane systems seen normally in the ultrastructural organization of the fully established mycelial-phase cell. These membrane systems appear to be associated with normal septal formation. Although minor variations of time were observed in the occurrence of the sequential events, it is suggested that yeastlike to mycelial-phase conversion of these two fungal pathogens proceeds via a similar mechanism of ultrastructural reorganization.     

Comparison of bioMérieux API 20NE and Remel RapID NF Plus, identification systems of type strains of Ralstonia pickettii

A : Comparison of two commercial miniaturized rapid systems for the identification of Ralstonia pickettii strains. METHODS AND RESULTS: Varying identification results were encountered using the bioMérieux API NE system and the Remel IDS RapID NF Plus commercial systems for R. pickettii. To compare these two systems, eight strains of R. pickettii were purchased from different commercial culture collections. Additionally, 32 industrial and eight clinical isolates, initially identified using the Vitek Junior (bioMérieux) were tested. Total number of isolates tested was 48. The API 20NE identified 29 isolates, as R. pickettii but was unsuccessful with 19 isolates. The Remel IDS RapID NF Plus identified 46 isolates as R. pickettii. One clinical and one industrial isolates was identified as non-R. pickettii with both systems. CONCLUSIONS: The above results indicate that the use of API 20NE system for examining the identification of R. pickettii strains is inconsistent. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrated that the RapID NF Plus is more accurate as an inexpensive identification system for the identification of R. pickettii, a potential emerging organism of medically and industrial importance.     

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: Conversion of Yeastlike Forms into Mycelia in Submerged Culture

Details of the sequential morphological changes occurring during yeastlike to mycelial-form conversion of the dimorphic pathogen Paracoccidioides brasiliensis are described and illustrated by photomicrographs. Conversion of yeastlike to hyphal morphology was initiated by changing the temperature of incubation from 37 to 23 C. Production by the parent yeastlike cells of elongated buds developing into hyphae started to be conspicuous after 24 hr of incubation at 23 C. After 120 hr of incubation, growth was almost exclusively filamentous. Direct transformation of parent yeastlike cells into hyphae was not observed. Dry weight increased continuously during the conversion process in spite of the gradual disappearance of the parent yeastlike cells. Concurrent studies showed that changes in ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid content per unit dry weight are about the same whether the yeastlike cells are undergoing conversion at 23 C or growing normally at 37 C, and that deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis is apparently required for bud formation in both cases.     

Comparison of API 20NE and Biolog GN identification systems assessed by techniques of multivariate analyses.

The increasing use of commercial multitest systems for identification of environmental bacteria creates the problem of how to compare the identification results obtained from different systems. The limited use of species designations in such comparisons is caused by low usage of environmental bacteria in the development of commercial identification schemes. Two multivariate statistical methods, the Mantel's test and the co-inertia analysis, were applied to analyze data derived from the Biolog GN and the API 20NE systems of identification for 50 environmental bacterial strains. We found these two methods to be useful for revealing the relationship between the two sets of numerical taxonomic traits. Both of these methods showed that the distances according to the Biolog GN results between the studied strains were related to those derived from the API 20NE results, despite the differences in the test sets of the two systems. In addition, the co-inertia analysis allowed us to visualise the relationships between classifications of strains derived from the two identification systems and, simultaneously, to estimate the contribution of particular tests to the differentiation of bacterial strains.     

Fungal plasmocoagulase

Summary The cell extracts isolated from 73 species of fungi belonging to different taxonomic groups were studied to ascertain the presence of plasmocoagulase and protease. Plasmocoagulase was found to be widespread among these microorganisms. They were most constantly found in yeasts and yeastlike fungi. The active substance was not found in culture media. When studying the purified preparation ofCandida albicans plasmocoagulase in comparison with staphylocoagulase the mode of action of both coagulases was found to represent the enzymatical proteolysis of prothrombin with the formation of thrombin or thrombinlike substance.     

Discrimination between<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida albicans</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida dubliniensis</Emphasis> isolated from HIV-positive patients by using commercial method in comparison with PCR assay

Nineteen clinical isolates of Candida albicans and C. dubliniensis were isolated from patients (majority of them HIV-positive) in Slovakia, Brazil, Thailand and Japan. Species discrimination was performed by using growth on CHROMagar Candida, commercial biochemical set API 20C AUX, germ-tube test in human serum, growth at 42 and 45 degrees C on Sabouraud-dextrose agar as well as on CHROMagar Candida, assimilation of D-xylose and methyl alpha-D-glucoside by glass-tube test, and production of chlamydospores. These tests were completed by PCR using Cd-oligo2/F and Cd-oligo2/R primer pair specific for C. dubliniensis. Six clinical isolates were confirmed to be C. dubliniensis, remaining 13 strains were determined as C. albicans. The use of conventional method showed that the determination is markedly influenced by personal evaluation suggesting the necessity of using the combination of many tests to obtain correct results comparing with accurate and rapid PCR assay. For discrimination between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis we recommend the combination of primo-cultivation on CHROMagar, followed by germ-tube test and PCR.     

浅部真菌病病原酵母菌构成调查及药敏研究

目的了解本地区浅部真菌病病原酵母菌感染菌种的构成及其耐药性特点,为临床提供病原学诊断和合理使用抗真菌药物的依据。方法采用改良沙氏培养基对1354份临床标本进行酵母菌培养和菌株分离,用科玛嘉念珠菌显色培养基和YBC鉴定卡对所分离的酵母菌进行鉴定,用ROSCO纸片扩散法检测分离菌株对6种常见抗真菌药物的耐药性。结果共分离出10种219株酵母菌,甲真菌病检出率最高(43.80%),其次是股癣(16.70%)、体癣(13.00%)、足癣(11.11%),手癣最低(9.40%)。其中白念珠菌为63.47%;近平滑念珠菌为17.81%;热带念珠菌为6.85%;季也蒙念珠菌为5.94%;无名念珠菌为2.28%,其他酵母菌为3.65%。219株酵母菌对特比萘芬(TBE)、伊曲康唑(ITC)、氟康唑(FLC)、制霉菌素(NYS)、咪康唑(MIC)和酮康唑(KTC)的敏感性分别为53.42%、87.21%、97.26%、100%、80.35%和100%,耐药性分别为20.55%、11.11%、2.28%、0.0、12.72%和0.0。结论本地区浅部真菌病酵母菌感染菌谱以白念珠菌为主,其次是近平滑念珠菌和热带念珠菌,体外药敏显示对制霉菌素、酮康唑和氟康唑有很好的敏感性,对特比萘芬、伊曲康唑和咪康唑产生了较高的耐药性。     

Human Pathogenic Fungi in China??Emerging Trends from Ongoing National Survey for 1986, 1996, and 2006

This epidemiological survey was a retrospective study on three nodes during the past three decades on fungal infections representing the China, including Taiwan. Owing to rare publications reporting on dynamic epidemiological trends in the pathogen epidemiology in China, we surveyed the isolation rates and pathogenic fungi from 8 representative districts in China using uniform identification with uniform methodology. The pathogenic fungi isolation rates and species obtained from 1986 (n=9,096), 1996 (n=19,009), and 2006 (n=33,022) suggested that Trichophyton rubrum was the commonest organism cultured in 1980s (45.4%) and 1990s (34.5%), but Candida albicans increased significantly and reaching to its peak (26.9%) in 2006s' survey, and has become the most common isolate of fungal infections in China currently. In addition, Candida glabrata became the most common non-albicans species of Candida in 2006s' survey. At the same time, the incidence of molds also gradually increased. According to comparative analysis of the results of these three surveys, we found apparent differences in the isolation rates of different pathogenic fungi and the forefront 10 species in China varied significantly, and the dermatophytes decreased markedly, while yeasts, especially the Candida species and the molds, increased gradually during the past three decades. Less dermatophytic infections may suggest better access to healthcare or increase in Candida species indicated higher incidence of hospital acquired infections.     

Yeast species associated with orange juice: evaluation of different identification methods

Five different methods were used to identify yeast isolates from a variety of citrus juice sources. A total of 99 strains, including reference strains, were identified using a partial sequence of the 26S rRNA gene, restriction pattern analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (5.8S-ITS), classical methodology, the RapID Yeast Plus system, and API 20C AUX. Twenty-three different species were identified representing 11 different genera. Distribution of the species was considerably different depending on the type of sample. Fourteen different species were identified from pasteurized single-strength orange juice that had been contaminated after pasteurization (PSOJ), while only six species were isolated from fresh-squeezed, unpasteurized orange juice (FSOJ). Among PSOJ isolates, Candida intermedia and Candida parapsilosis were the predominant species. Hanseniaspora occidentalis and Hanseniaspora uvarum represented up to 73% of total FSOJ isolates. Partial sequence of the 26S rRNA gene yielded the best results in terms of correct identification, followed by classical techniques and 5.8S-ITS analysis. The commercial identification kits RapID Yeast Plus system and API 20C AUX were able to correctly identify only 35 and 13% of the isolates, respectively. Six new 5.8S-ITS profiles were described, corresponding to Clavispora lusitaniae, Geotrichum citri-aurantii, H. occidentalis, H. vineae, Pichia fermentans, and Saccharomycopsis crataegensis. With the addition of these new profiles to the existing database, the use of 5.8S-ITS sequence became the best tool for rapid and accurate identification of yeast isolates from orange juice.     

Evaluation of Agar Candida ID2 (bioMerieux) a chromogenic medium for yeasts differentiation

Invasive diagnostic and therapeutic methods, widespread antibiotic therapy and rising percent of the immunocompromised patients cause incrementation of frequency of occurrence of the yeast infection. C. albicans is the most commonly isolated species of Candida from clinical samples. However, recently growth of frequency of isolation Candida non - albicans from clinical specimens have been observed. Yeast-like fungi different from C. albicans have become serious clinical problem. Conventional methods of identification of the yeast-like fungi carry away a lot time enough. Employment of chromogenic agar shortens latency on result. We decided to examine the usefulness ofAgar Candida ID2 (CAN2) (bioMérieux) in the identification of Candida species. The subjects within the study were 146 of Candida spp strains which were isolated from the clinical specimens of patients hospitalized at the University Hospital in Bydgoszcz. Germ tube test. Api 20C AUX test (bioMérieux) and Agar Candida ID2 (bioMérieux) were used. We have ascertained correspondence of identifying species amounted to 82.2% of analyzed Candida species between API 20C AUX test and kind of growth on CAN2 medium. Divergence of results received between CAN2 medium and API 20C AUX test suggests necessity of conducting of verification data with other methods. In conclusion, our study shows that Agar Candida ID2 is an effective medium for the isolation yeast-like fungi and in preliminary identification of Candida species direct from clinical materials.     

Speculative cell cycle in yeast-phase growth of Sporothrix schenckii: plasma membrane ultrastructure as revealed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy

The cell cycle in yeast-phase growth of Sporothrix schenckii was investigated by light microscopy and freeze-fracture electron microscopy after a 3- to 7-day cultivation on brain heart infusion agar medium at 37 degrees C. Mother yeastlike cells were able to bear daughter yeastlike cells. They were also able to produce germ tubes that had the potential to develop into pseudohyphae and hyphae. On the other hand, hyphae or pseudohyphae born from yeastlike cells were able to bear yeastlike cells directly. These results lead us to propose a hypothetical cell cycle for yeast-phase growth involving yeastlike vegetative cells, pseudohyphae, and hyphae.     

Candida albicans: genetics, dimorphism and pathogenicity.

Candida albicans is a dimorphic fungus that causes severe opportunistic infections in humans. Recent advances in molecular biology techniques applied to this organism (transformation systems, gene disruption strategies, new reporter systems, regulatable promoters) allow a better knowledge of both the molecular basis of dimorphism and the role of specific genes in Candida morphogenesis. These same molecular approaches together with the development of appropriate experimental animal models to analyze the virulence of particular mutants, may help to understand the molecular basis of Candida virulence.     

Synthesis and antifungal activity of functionalized 2,3-spirostane isomers

Invasive fungal infections are a major complication for individuals with compromised immune systems. One of the most significant challenges in the treatment of invasive fungal infections is the increased resistance of many organisms to widely used antifungals, making the development of novel antifungal agents essential. Many naturally occurring products have been found to be effective antimicrobial agents. In particular, saponins with spirostane glycosidic moieties—isolated from plant or marine species—have been shown to possess a range of antimicrobial properties. In this report, we outline a novel approach to the synthesis of a number of functionalized spirostane molecules that can be further used as building blocks for novel spirostane-linked glycosides and present results from the in vitro screenings of the antifungal potential of each derivative against four fungal species, including Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida glabrata, and the filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.