Multilocus sequence typing analysis of Candida africana from vulvovaginal candidiasis

Y X Zhu,S L Zhong,Y Shi,J Yang,X P Liu,S R Fan

doi:10.1186/s12879-019-4071-7

Abstract

BackgroundCandida africana is distributed worldwide and colonized in human genitalia and cause mainly vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). We report the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of C. africana from VVC.MethodsMLST analysis of 43 strains of C. africana, which were isolated from vaginal specimens of patients with VVC, was performed. The enzymatic activity of phospholipase, esterase and haemolysis enzyme production was evaluated.The level of virulent genes and resistant genes mRNA expression was determined by using real-time PCR. Antifungal susceptibilities of the isolates were assayed by using the broth microdilution method. The statistical of the results was determined by the T test and Pearson chi-squared test.ResultsThe MLST analysis revealed a substantial degree of genetic homogeneity. The DST782 and DST182 were the main MLST genotypes in C. africana. All the patients were symptomatic and with a high mycological cure rate when treated with commonly used antifungal agents.There were statistically significant differences in biofilm formation and phospholipase activity between C. africana and C.albicans. The level of virulent genes and resistant genes mRNA expression was higher in fluconazole-resistant strains. All C. africana isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, and micafungin. These isolates also exhibited low MICs to amphotericin B, flucytosine, and posaconazole.ConclusionsCandida africana appear to be with a low level of sequence variation in MLST loci. Candida africana, a lower virulence candida, is susceptible to commonly used antifungal agents.This paper was presented at the conference of 8th Trend in Medical Mycology (6–9 October 2017, Belgrade, Serbia) and was published on conference abstract.

Highlights

Candida africana is distributed worldwide and colonized in human genitalia and cause mainly vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)
Multilocus sequence typing for C. africana was performed on the basis of a previously published consensus set of seven housekeeping gene loci for C. albicans: CaAAT1a, CaACC1, CaADP1, CaMPIb, CaSYA1, CaVPS13 and CaZWF1b [16]
Allele numbers of each locus was determined by inputting the sequences in the C.albicans multilocus sequence typing (MLST) database and diploid sequence types (DSTs) for each isolate was determined by the composite profile of all seven allele numbers

Summary

Introduction

Candida africana is distributed worldwide and colonized in human genitalia and cause mainly vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). We report the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of C. africana from VVC. For the first time, in 1995 in Madagascar, Africa and afterwards proposed as new Candida species phylogenetically closely related to C. albicans [1]. The isolates assigned to this group were originally proposed as representatives of a new species rather than a biovariant of C. albicans. It shows remarkable differences if compared to C. albicans such as. Zhu et al BMC Infectious Diseases (2019) 19:461. Mean age (years old) 31.15 ± 7.58. Antibiotics (in prior 6 weeks, oral or vaginal) 2(5.9%). Antifungal on or recent (prior 6 weeks) 4(11.8)

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