Surveillance of pathogenic yeasts in hospital environments in Taiwan in 2020
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: A predominate azole-resistant Candida tropicalis clade 4 genotype causing candidemia has been detected in not only Taiwan but also China, Singapore, and Australia. It can also be detected on fruit surfaces. In addition to determining distribution and drug susceptibilities of pathogenic yeasts in environments of intensive care units of 25 hospitals in Taiwan, we would also like to investigate whether the azole-resistant C. tropicalis exists in Taiwan's hospital environment. METHODS: The swabs of hospital environments were collected from August to November in 2020 and were cultured for yeasts. The yeasts were identified by rDNA sequence and the antifungal susceptibilities of those isolates were determined by the broth microdilution method. RESULTS: The average yeast-culture rate of hospitals was 9.4% (217/2299). Sinks had the highest yeast-positive culture rate (32.7%), followed by bedside tables (28.9%), floors (26.0%), water-dispenser buttons (23.8%), and TV controller/touch panels (19.0%). Of 262 identified isolates, Candida parapsilosis was the most common species, accounting for 22.1%, followed by Filobasidium uniguttulatum (18.3%), Candida albicans (9.5%), C. tropicalis (8.0%), Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabratus) (6.9%), and 30 other species (35.1%). Of the 21 C. tropicalis isolates from 11 units in 9 hospitals, 15 diploid sequence types (DSTs) were identified. The two DST506 fluconazole-resistant ones belonged to clade 4. CONCLUSION: We detected not only various pathogenic yeast species but also the predominant clade 4 genotype of azole-resistant C. tropicalis. Our findings highlight and re-emphasize the importance of regular cleaning and disinfection practices.
Authors: De-Jiun Tsai, Li-Yun Hsieh, Pei-Jung Chung, Yin-Zhi Chen, Yi-Jyun Jhou, Kuo-Yun Tseng, Chia-Jui Yang, Yen-Cheng Yeh, Seng-Yi Lin, Susan Shin-Jung Lee, Ting-I Wu, Tsung-Ta Chiang, Chien-Hsuan Chou, Wei-Chieh Miu, Po-Yu Liu, Chin-Te Lu, Yuan-Ti Lee, Yu-Ling Syu, Gwo-Jong Hsu, Yee-Chun Chen, Nan-Yao Lee, Chang-Hua Chen, Ching-Cheng Yang, Lih-Shinn Wang, Jien-Wei Liu, Chin-Chuan Kao, Ya-Ting Chang, Keh-Sen Liu, Bor-Shen Hu, Che-Han Hsu, Yi-Ching Huang, Hsiu-Jung Lo
Institutions: National Health Research Institutes, National Taiwan University Hospital, Kuang Tien General Hospital, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Zuoying Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Saint Mary's Hospital Luodong, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Cathay General Hospital, Tri-Service General Hospital, Sin-Lau Christian Hospital, Mennonite Christian Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Luodong Poh-Ai Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Changhua Christian Hospital, Tzu Chi Foundation, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Taipei City Hospital, Cheng Ching Hospital, Jen-Ai Hospital, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, China Medical University
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
OpenAlex ID: W4402083753