The Candida parapsilosis complex has emerged as one of the main causes of candidemia worldwide. This study aims to evaluate possible C. parapsilosis sensu stricto reservoirs in a NICU, the expression of virulence factors, and antifungal susceptibility, and to analyze their genetic and phenotypic similarity. The study included 17 isolates of C. parapsilosis: seven environmental, one from a newborn's mother, and nine samples from six newborns. We used molecular and phenotypic tests to characterize the isolates and to trace possible routes of infection. The genetic similarity was determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA. The hemolytic and DNAse activity was determined using sheep's blood and DNAse agar, biofilm production by XTT method, and the susceptibility to antifungals through microdilution methodology. Two environmental strains isolated in the same month had high similarity. The 17 isolates expressed at least one of the three virulence factors studied, and one environmental isolate was resistant to fluconazole. This study shows that environmental contamination can be an important reservoir of potentially pathogenic microorganisms, since isolates of C. parapsilosis sensu stricto collected from the hospital environment were able to express virulence factors. Therefore, we emphasized the importance of determining the transmission routes in NICU in order to detect pathogen sources and reservoirs, as well as to establish prevention measures, such as adequate disinfection of the environment.

中文翻译：

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新生儿重症监护病房中近平滑念珠菌引起的念珠菌血症：人类和环境宿主、毒力因子和抗真菌药敏

近平滑念珠菌复合体已成为全世界念珠菌血症的主要原因之一。本研究旨在评估 NICU 中可能的近平滑念珠菌感染宿主、毒力因子的表达和抗真菌药敏性，并分析它们的遗传和表型相似性。该研究包括 17 个近平滑念珠菌分离株：7 个环境分离株，1 个来自新生儿的母亲，以及 9 个来自六个新生儿的样本。我们使用分子和表型测试来表征分离株并追踪可能的感染途径。遗传相似性由随机扩增的多态性 DNA 确定。使用羊血和DNAse琼脂，通过XTT法生产生物膜，通过微量稀释法测定对抗真菌药的敏感性，测定溶血性和DNA酶活性。同月分离的两个环境菌株具有较高的相似性。17 株分离株至少表达了所研究的三种毒力因子中的一种，一种环境分离株对氟康唑具有抗药性。该研究表明，环境污染可能是潜在病原微生物的重要储存库，因为从医院环境中收集的严格近平滑念珠菌分离株能够表达毒力因子。因此，我们强调了确定新生儿重症监护病房传播途径的重要性，以检测病原体来源和宿主，并制定预防措施，例如对环境进行充分消毒。一种环境分离物对氟康唑具有抗药性。该研究表明，环境污染可能是潜在病原微生物的重要储存库，因为从医院环境中收集的严格近平滑念珠菌分离株能够表达毒力因子。因此，我们强调了确定新生儿重症监护病房传播途径的重要性，以检测病原体来源和宿主，并制定预防措施，例如对环境进行充分消毒。一种环境分离物对氟康唑具有抗药性。该研究表明，环境污染可能是潜在病原微生物的重要储存库，因为从医院环境中收集的严格近平滑念珠菌分离株能够表达毒力因子。因此，我们强调了确定新生儿重症监护病房传播途径的重要性，以检测病原体来源和宿主，并制定预防措施，例如对环境进行充分消毒。