Antifungal susceptibility and in vitro virulence characteristics of clinical Magnusiomyces/Saprochaete isolates: a multicenter study from Türkiye
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Invasive infections due to Magnusiomyces/Saprochaete species are an emerging problem in immunocompromised patients and are often underrecognized because of misidentification and intrinsic resistance to some antifungals. This multicenter study investigated the species distribution, antifungal susceptibility patterns, and key virulence traits of clinical isolates from Türkiye. A total of 133 clinical isolates collected between 2010 and 2024 from 18 hospitals in 10 cities were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and ITS/LSU sequencing. MICs of amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, and flucytosine were determined using the EUCAST broth microdilution method. Biofilm formation and esterase, caseinase, secreted aspartyl proteinase, phospholipase, and hemolysin activities were assessed phenotypically. Sequencing identified 107 isolates (80.4%) as Magnusiomyces capitatus and 26 (19.6%) as Magnusiomyces clavatus, MALDI-TOF MS identified 106 (79.7%) as M. capitatus and 27 isolates (20.3%) as M. clavatus. There was 99.2% agreement between MALDI-TOF MS and sequencing results. Voriconazole, amphotericin B, and posaconazole showed the lowest MICs, whereas fluconazole displayed wide MIC ranges and limited activity. Overall, 97.7% of isolates were strong biofilm producers, with significantly higher biofilm production in M. capitatus. In contrast, M. clavatus showed higher caseinase and esterase activity. This study provides the most extensive multicenter dataset on Magnusiomyces/Saprochaete in Türkiye and underscores their considerable pathogenic potential through strong biofilm formation and tissue-degrading enzyme activities. Accurate species-level identification using MALDI-TOF MS supported by molecular methods is essential, and limited fluconazole activity suggests that voriconazole and amphotericin B should be prioritized in species-guided treatment strategies.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Ali Ozturk, Merve Aydin, Elif Ayca Sahin, Dolunay Gulmez, Elif Seren Tanrıverdi, Baris Otlu, Sevtap Arikan-Akdagli, Bashar Ibrahim, Betil Ozhak, Ozlem Koyuncu Ozyurt, Yasemin Oz, Sebahat Aksaray, Deniz Turan, Muge Aslan, Ayse Baris, Ayse Nedret Koc, Gonca Erkose Genc, Zayre Erturan, Beyza Ener, Nazmiye Ulku Tuzemen, Ebru Evren, Zeynep Ceren Karahan, Aydin Karaarslan, Melda Ozdamar, Berna Gultekin Korkmazgil, Halil Er, Ozgul Cetinkaya, Zeynep Arzu Ilki, Elvan Sayin, Asuman Birinci, Esra Ozkaya, Ilknur Tosun, Rabiye Altinbas, Emine Kucukates, Ayse Kalkanci
Institutions: Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Gazi University, Hacettepe University, Inonu University, Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi, Akdeniz University, Bakırçay Üniversitesi, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Haydarpaşa Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Şişli Etfal Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Erciyes University, Istanbul University, Bursa Uludağ Üni̇versi̇tesi̇, Ankara University, Adnan Menderes University, Antalya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Marmara University, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Karadeniz Technical University, İzmir Şehir Hastanesi, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
Funder: Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi
OpenAlex ID: W7135396245