Detection in Orchards of Predominant Azole-Resistant Candida tropicalis Genotype Causing Human Candidemia, Taiwan.
Journal
Emerging infectious diseases
Journal Volume
30
Journal Issue
11
Start Page
2323
End Page
2332
ISSN
1080-6059
Date Issued
2024-11
Author(s)
Tseng, Kuo-Yun
Chen, Yin-Zhi
Zhou, Zi-Li
Tsai, Jyh-Nong
Tseng, Min-Nan
Liu, Hsing-Lung
Wu, Chi-Jung
Liao, Yu-Chieh
Lin, Chih-Chao
Tsai, De-Jiun
Chen, Feng-Jui
Hsieh, Li-Yun
Huang, Kuan-Chung
Huang, Chun-Hua
Chen, Kai-Ting
Chu, Wen-Li
Lin, Chiao-Mei
Shih, Shu-Man
Hsiung, Chao Agnes
Sytwu, Huey-Kang
Yang, Yun-Liang
Lo, Hsiu-Jung
Abstract
Fluconazole-resistant clade 4 Candida tropicalis causing candidemia in humans has been detected in tropical/subtropical areas, including those in China, Singapore, and Australia. We analyzed 704 individual yeasts isolated from fruits, soil, water, and farmers at 80 orchards in Taiwan. The most common pathogenic yeast species among 251 isolates recovered from farmers were Candida albicans (14.7%) and C. parapsilosis (11.6%). In contrast, C. tropicalis (13.0%), C. palmioleophila (6.6%), and Pichia kudriavzevii (6.0%) were prevalent among 453 environmental isolates. Approximately 18.6% (11/59) of C. tropicalis from the environment were resistant to fluconazole, and 81.8% (9/11) of those belonged to the clade 4 genotype. C. tropicalis susceptibility to fluconazole correlated with susceptibilities to the agricultural azole fungicides, difenoconazole, tebuconazole, and triadimenol. Tandem gene duplications of mutated ERG11 contributed to azole resistance. Agriculture environments are a reservoir for azole-resistant C. tropicalis; discontinuing agricultural use of azoles might reduce emergence of azole-resistant Candida spp. strains in humans.
Subjects
Candida tropicalis
Taiwan
antimicrobial resistance
azole resistance
candidemia
drug resistance
environment
fungi
multilocus sequence typing
orchards
pathogenic yeasts
Type
journal article