Molecular Diagnostics of Arthroconidial Yeasts, Frequent Pulmonary Opportunists


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Kaplan E., Al-Hatmi A. M. S., Ilkit M. M., van den Ende A. H. G. G., Hagen F., Meis J. F., ...More

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY, vol.56, no.1, 2018 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 56 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Doi Number: 10.1128/jcm.01427-17
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Magnusiomyces capitatus and Saprochaete clavata are members of the clade of arthroconidial yeasts that represent emerging opportunistic pulmonary pathogens in immunocompromised patients. Given that standard ribosomal DNA (rDNA) identification often provides confusing results, in this study, we analyzed 34 isolates with the goal of finding new genetic markers for classification using multilocus sequencing and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). The interspecific similarity obtained using rDNA markers (the internal transcribed spacer [ITS] and large subunit regions) was in the range of 96 to 99%, whereas that obtained using protein-coding loci (Rbp2, Act, and Tef1 alpha) was lower at 89.4 to 95.2%. Ultimately, Rbp2 was selected as the best marker for species distinction. On the basis of cloned ITS data, some strains proved to be misidentified in comparison with the identities obtained with phenotypic characters, protein sequences, and AFLP profiles, indicating that different copies of the ribosomal operon were present in a single species. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed that voriconazole had the lowest MIC against M. capitatus, while amphotericin B had the lowest MIC against S. clavata. Both species exhibited in vitro resistance to fluconazole and micafungin.