First Case of Identification of Candida kefyr and Pichia kluyveri in Lebanese Water

Abstract

Candida kefyr (Kluyveromyces marxianus) is a clinically important infectious yeast. It is found in nature, and is known to cause diseases in humans. No previous studies known have shown the detection of Candida kefyr in water sources of any country, and no studies have detected it anywhere in Lebanon. This present study is carried out to assess the quality of Lebanese water in terms of yeast pollution. The occurrence of Candida spp. (species) was inspected in 84 water samples that tested positive for containing Candida. Out of all isolates, 12 isolates were of C. kefyr and two were of P. kluyveri. The identification of Candida sp. was carried out by using HiCrome™ M1297A and M1297AR chromogenic media. Isolates identified were confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS and 26S rRNA sequencing. The isolates varied from sensitive to resistant to common antifungal agents, including Itraconazole, clotrimazole, fluconazole, miconazole, and nystatin, via disk diffusion assay. These results are the first to confirm the presence of C. kefyr in Lebanese water supplies and suggest that water consumed in Lebanon may be a potential transmission route for serious Candida-based infections.