Identification of Candida Species Circulating in Dakar using Multiplex Nested PCR

Abstract

Background: In most developing countries, laboratory identification of Fungi belonging to the genus Candida is often problematic. The germ test tube known as Blastese test, which is the most used has the limitation that it only differentiates the C. albicans complex from other Candida complexes. Not only it is important to know the involvement of other species in the occurrence of fungal infections, but also the difference in sensitivity to the azoles used in the treatment of these fungal infections makes it necessary to identify the Fungi at the species level. The objective of this study was to identify by multiplex nested PCR the Candida species isolated in the laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, Senegal. Methodology: Candida isolates were obtained from patients who were admitted to the laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology with suspected fungal infections. After identification by conventional methods, isolates were preserved in a storage medium and kept at -20°C. Species identification was performed by nested PCR. Results: A total of 42 yeast isolates were collected after culture on Sabouraud medium, among which 10 (24%) from vaginal swabs and 32 (76%) from patients suffering from superficial mycoses (skin and nails). C. albicans represented 68% and nonCandida albicans (NAC) species 32%. The distribution of the NAC species was as follows: C. parapsilosis (group I and II) 17% (8), C. tropicalis 8.5% (4), C. kefyr 4.25% (2) and C. lusitaniae 2.15% (1). Mixed infection with two species represented 17.39% of the isolates. Conclusion: This study shows that other Candida species are common in Dakar, although their identification is not routinely performed in most laboratories. Thus, it is necessary to improve the technical facilities in these diagnostic laboratories.