Detection of Cryptic Candida Species Recognized as Human Pathogens Through Molecular Biology Techniques

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aim of this review is to evaluate these molecular-based methods able to identify pathogenic crypticCandida spp. focusing on those that demonstrated to be useful in clinical laboratory settings.Recent FindingsIt is long known that someCandida spp. are genetically heterogeneous. Firstly, individual species were divided into groups based on differences on the sequence of some genes. Later, those groups were designated as cryptic species and defined as phenotypically indistinguishable species that are only identified by their DNA sequences. Many commonCandida spp. are now considered complexes formed by several cryptic species. Some of them have been recognized as human pathogens. The identification of these species is problematic but necessary since they have different host range, infection sites, infection severity, and antifungal susceptibility. Several independent DNA markers were proposed as tools for the differentiation of highly related species. We will concentrate on the three species complexes most frequently associated with human infections includingCandida albicans,C. glabrata, andC. parapsilosis complexes and a fourth group of less common but multiresistant species includingC. haeumulonii complex andC. auris.SummaryWe review the clinically useful molecular tools able to differentiate the cryptic species ofC. albicans,C. glabrata, andC. parapsilosis complexes and designated to uncover emerging multiresistant species.

Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - October 25, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research