Identification of Candida dubliniensis in the area of Tunis

• Published in: Journal de mycologie médicale 2009-06, Vol.19 (2), p.116-121
• Main Authors: Anane, S, Kaouech, E, Belhadj, S, Othman, TBen, Bejaoui, M, Houman, H, Mellouli, F, Chaabane, TBen, Kallel, K, Chaker, E
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; fre
• Subjects: Candida albicans; Candida dubliniensis
• ISSN: 1156-5233
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2009.01.002

The newly described species Candida dubliniensis phenotypically resembles Candida albicans so closely that is easily misidentified as such. Objectives - The present study was designed to determine the frequency of this species among various susceptible populations in Tunis and to assess fluconazole resistance. Patients/Methods - Over a 1-year period, 350 isolates that were identified initially as C. albicans were revaluated for C. dubliniensis by inability to grow at 45 C, chlamydospores production on Sunflower-agar medium and agglutination on Bichro-Dubli Fumouze test. Results - A total of 18 isolates were identified as C. dubliniensis giving a prevalence of 5.14% of C. dubliniensis among the C. albicans/C. dubliniensis strains. They were recovered from 11 human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients. Theses patients were immunocompromised in ten cases. Isolates were recovered from sputum (27.8%), followed by tongue (22.2%), urine (16.7%), throat (11.1%), stool (11.1%) and rectum (11.1%). Antifungal susceptibility testing of the C. dubliniensis isolates showed 100% sensitivity to each fluconazole, 5- fluorocytosine and miconazole and 94.4% sensitivity to both itraconazole and amphotericin B. Conclusion - Our study highlights the recovery of C. dubliniensis in Tunis (Tunisia). It was isolated in human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients from different clinical specimens.Original Abstract: Introduction - Candida dubliniensis est une nouvelle espece de Candida qui partage des caracteres phenotypiques avec Candida albicans et qui cause des problemes significatifs pour son identification par les methodes de routine. le but de cette etude est, d'une part, de determiner la frequence de cette espece chez une population susceptible dans la region de Tunis et, d'autre part, de determiner sa resistance au fluconazole. Materiel et methodes - Il s'agit d'une etude prospective realisee sur une periode d'un an allant du mois d'avril 2006 au mois de mars 2007. Trois cent cinquante isolats produisant des chlamydospores sur Agar Tween ont ete testes. L'identification de C. dubliniensis a ete faite par l'etude de la croissance a 45 C, la production des chlamydospores sur le milieu Sunflower et l'utilisation des anticorps monoclonaux par le test Bichro-Dubli Fumouze. Resultats - Dix-huit isolats de C. dubliniensis ont ete identifies, ce qui correspond a une frequence de 5,14 % pour l'ensemble des isolats inclus. Ils ont ete isoles chez 11 patients non infectes par le