Identification of Candida species isolated from vulvovaginitis using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.

Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh,Anna Kolecka,Parisa Badiee,Teun Boekhout,Majid Alizadeh,Hossein Zarrinfar,Abdolmajid Fata,Mohamad Ali Ghanbari Nahzag,Somayeh Dolatabadi,Ali Rezaei‐Matehkolaei

doi:10.29252/cmm.3.4.21

Abstract

Background and Purpose:Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common problem in women. The purpose of this study was to identify Candida isolates by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) from women with vulvovaginitis that were referred to Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran.Materials and Methods:This study was conducted on 65 clinical samples isolated from women that were referred to Ghaem Hospital. All specimens were identified using phenotyping techniques, such as microscopy and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar and corn meal agar. In addition, all isolates were processed for MALDI-TOF MS identification.Results:Out of the 65 analyzed isolates, 61 (94%) samples were recognized by MALDI-TOF MS. However, the remaining four isolates (6%) had no reliable identification. According to the results, C. albicans (58.5%) was the most frequently isolated species, followed by C. tropicalis (16.9%), C. glabrata (7.7%), C. parapsilosis (7.7%), and guilliermondii (3.1%).Conclusion:As the findings indicated, MALDI TOF MS was successful in the identification of clinical Candida species. C. albicans was identified as the most common Candida species isolated from the women with VVC. Moreover, C. tropicalis was the most common species among the non-albicans Candida species.

Highlights

G enus Candida includes more than 300 species and belongs to the kingdom fungi, Phylum Ascomycota, Subphylum Saccharomycotina, class Saccharomycetes, and order Saccharomycetales [1]
The purpose of this study was to identify Candida isolates by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) from women with vulvovaginitis that were referred to Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran
As the findings indicated, MALDI TOF MS was successful in the identification of clinical Candida species

Summary

Introduction

G enus Candida includes more than 300 species and belongs to the kingdom fungi, Phylum Ascomycota, Subphylum Saccharomycotina, class Saccharomycetes, and order Saccharomycetales [1]. The VVC is a vaginal infection, affecting approximately 75% of the females of child-bearing age one or more times in their lifetime. This infection can occur recurrently in approximately 5% of the females [9, 10]. The purpose of this study was to identify Candida isolates by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) from women with vulvovaginitis that were referred to Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Conclusion: As the findings indicated, MALDI TOF MS was successful in the identification of clinical Candida species. C. albicans was identified as the most common Candida species isolated from the women with VVC. C. tropicalis was the most common species among the non-albicans Candida species

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