Candida haemulonii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Saccharomycetes
Order: Saccharomycetales
Family: Saccharomycetaceae
Genus: Candida
Species:
C. haemulonii
Binomial name
Candida haemulonii
(Uden & Kolip.) S.A. Mey. & Yarrow
Synonyms
  • Candida duobushaemulonii
  • Candida haemulonii var. vulnera
  • Torulopsis haemuli

Candida haemulonii is a yeast fungal pathogen that is known to cause infections in humans.[1] C. haemulonii is an emerging opportunistic pathogen that is found in hospitals and healthcare settings.[1] Infections are difficult to treat because the fungus has resistance to antifungal agents.[2] Since its emergence, little research has been conducted on this fungus. However, in recent years, research has been conducted to help identify the various properties of C. haemulonii.

Taxonomy

The fungus was first classified as Torulopsis haemuli in 1962. In 1978, the fungus became classified as Candida haemulonii. [3]

Morphology

Oval cells are present at a microscopic level.[4] The fungus has the ability to switch from a filamentous phenotype to a yeast phenotype given temperature differences.[5] This allows the fungus to survive within different environments at different temperatures.

Habitat

Since the fungus has yeast properties, it has the ability to survive in soil and water. The fungus has been present in various outbreaks around the globe, including in hospitals within patients where the fungus has increased resistance to antifungals.[4] This indicates its ability to survive and reside in human bodies. As well, it is an indication it can survive on non-living surfaces. Due to the fungus's ability to switch phenotypes given the temperature, it is implied that the fungus can survive within a wide temperature range in order to adapt to the external environment and continue to survive.[5]

Geographical distribution and outbreaks

There have been an increased number of global outbreaks where this strain of fungus was found. The original locations of the fungus is reported to have been the Atlantic Ocean. Researchers noted that they found traces of the fungus on the skin of dolphins and the seawater of the coast of Portugal.[6]

A study in 2001 reported that the fungus was associated with an epidemic in a laboratory maintained colony in the Czech Republic.[7]

A study in 2015 reported how the fungus was found in patients in Brazilian hospitals. This study reported antifungal multi-resistant properties.[2]

Recent studies around 2020 report C. haemulonii as an opportunistic pathogen in hospitals across the United States.[1]

The fungus has been reported in diverse regions around the world. This would corroborate how the species has properties that allow it to adapt to different temperatures in different environments because each of the mentioned regions have climates that are distinct from one another.

Medical relevance

Amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole are antifungal agents that have been used against C. haemulonii in immunocompromised patients. The fungus was reported to be resistant to these antifungal agents.[8] In addition, the fungus is resistant to azoles and echinocandins, which are also antifungal drugs.[4]

The fungus is reported to have a tendency to cause chronic lower extremity wounds. The fungus is also more likely to negatively impact diabetic patients.[1] The fungus has been isolated from the nails of diabetic patients. It has also been associated with toe ulcers and renal failure.[9]

A study delved into how the case fatality rate of C. haemulonii is 83.33%. Immunological studies showed that the species stimulated genes involved in proinflammatory cytokine group, indicating the species can impact the inflammatory pathway.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Coles, Michael; Cox, Kayla; Chao, Andrew (2020). "Candida haemulonii: An emerging opportunistic pathogen in the United States?". IDCases. 21: e00900. doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2020.e00900. PMC 7358735. PMID 32685371.
  2. 1 2 Ramos, Lívia S.; Figueiredo-Carvalho, Maria Helena G.; Barbedo, Leonardo S.; Ziccardi, Mariangela; Chaves, Alessandra L. S.; Zancopé-Oliveira, Rosely M.; Pinto, Marcia R.; Sgarbi, Diana B. G.; Dornelas-Ribeiro, Marcos; Branquinha, Marta H.; Santos, André L. S. (2015-01-01). "Candida haemulonii complex: species identification and antifungal susceptibility profiles of clinical isolates from Brazil". Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 70 (1): 111–115. doi:10.1093/jac/dku321. ISSN 0305-7453. PMID 25134720.
  3. ↑ "Species Fungorum - Species synonymy". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  4. 1 2 3 Gómez-Gaviria, Manuela; Martínez-Álvarez, José A.; Chávez-Santiago, Joaquín O.; Mora-Montes, Héctor M. (2023-03-14). "Candida haemulonii Complex and Candida auris: Biology, Virulence Factors, Immune Response, and Multidrug Resistance". Infection and Drug Resistance. 16: 1455–1470. doi:10.2147/IDR.S402754. PMC 10024503. PMID 36942024.
  5. 1 2 Deng, Yuchen; Li, Shuaihu; Bing, Jian; Liao, Wanqing; Tao, Li (2021-12-22). Anderson, Matthew Zack (ed.). "Phenotypic Switching and Filamentation in Candida haemulonii, an Emerging Opportunistic Pathogen of Humans". Microbiology Spectrum. 9 (3): e00779–21. doi:10.1128/Spectrum.00779-21. ISSN 2165-0497. PMC 8653834. PMID 34878301.
  6. ↑ van Uden, N.; Kolipinski, M. C. (December 1962). "Torulopsis haemulonii nov. spec. a yeast from the Atlantic ocean". Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 28 (1): 78–80. doi:10.1007/BF02538724. ISSN 0003-6072. PMID 14039875. S2CID 31804880.
  7. ↑ Loosová, Gabriela; Jindrák, Libor; Kopáček, Petr (2001-06-01). "Mortality caused by experimental infection with the yeast Candida haemulonii in the adults of Ornithodoros moubata (Acarina: Argasidae)". Folia Parasitologica. 48 (2): 149–153. doi:10.14411/fp.2001.023. ISSN 0015-5683. PMID 11437130.
  8. ↑ Khan, Zia U.; Al-Sweih, Noura A.; Ahmad, Suhail; Al-Kazemi, Nawal; Khan, Seema; Joseph, Leena; Chandy, Rachel (June 2007). "Outbreak of Fungemia among Neonates Caused by Candida haemulonii Resistant to Amphotericin B, Itraconazole, and Fluconazole". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 45 (6): 2025–2027. doi:10.1128/JCM.00222-07. ISSN 0095-1137. PMC 1933024. PMID 17428940.
  9. ↑ Gargeya, I.B.; Pruitt, W.R.; Meyer, S.A.; Ahearn, D.G. (January 1991). "Candida haemuloniifrom clinical specimens in the USA". Medical Mycology. 29 (5): 335–338. doi:10.1080/02681219180000511. ISSN 1369-3786.
  10. ↑ Pharkjaksu, Sujiraphong; Boonmee, Nawarat; Mitrpant, Chalermchai; Ngamskulrungroj, Popchai (September 2021). "Immunopathogenesis of Emerging Candida auris and Candida haemulonii Strains". Journal of Fungi. 7 (9): 725. doi:10.3390/jof7090725. ISSN 2309-608X. PMC 8469599. PMID 34575763.
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