Virulence factors, antifungal susceptibility and molecular profile in Candida species isolated from the hands of health professionals before and after cleaning with 70% ethyl alcohol-based gel - 19/05/24
Highlights |
• | The 70% ethyl alcohol-based hand sanitizer was effective in reducing candida colonization in the hands of healthcare workers. |
• | Candida species in the hands of health professionals can form in vitro biofilm. |
• | Isolates with high genetic similarity were in hands of the health professionals increasing the risk of cross-contamination. |
ABSTRACT |
Fungal infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are mainly related to Candida species, with high mortality rates. They are predominantly of endogenous origin, however, cross-infection transmitted by healthcare professionals' hands has occurred. The aim of this study was to identify Candida species isolated from the hands of healthcare professionals in a NICU before and after hygiene with 70% ethanol-based gel and evaluate virulence factors DNase, phospholipase, proteinase, hemolysin, biofilm biomass production, and metabolic activity. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing and similarity by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were also performed. C. parapsilosis complex was the most frequent species (57.1%); all isolates presented at least one virulence factor; three isolates (Candida parapsilosis complex) were resistant to amphotericin B, two (Candida famata [currently Debaryomyces hansenii] and Candida guilliermondii [currently Meyerozyma guilliermondii]) was resistant to micafungin, and six (Candida parapsilosis complex, Candida guilliermondii [=Meyerozyma guilliermondii], Candida viswanathi, Candida catenulata [currently Diutina catenulata] and Candida lusitaniae [currently Clavispora lusitaniae]) were resistant to fluconazole. Molecular analysis by RAPD revealed two clusters of identical strains that were in the hands of distinct professionals. Candida spp. were isolated even after hygiene with 70% ethanol-based gel, highlighting the importance of stricter basic measures for hospital infection control to prevent nosocomial transmission.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Candida, Hands, Virulence factors, Biofilm, NICU, Healthcare professionals
Abbreviations : NICU, RAPD, BrSCOPE, HCW, ABHSs, LBP, MBP, HBP, LMA, MMA, HMA
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Vol 34 - N° 2
Article 101482- juin 2024 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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