Epidemiology and molecular identification of mixed yeast isolates in Malaysia: A way forward

Humaira Farooq; Suresh V Chinni; Tahmina Monowar; Swe Swe Latt; Noor Hasliza Zainol; Gokul Shankar Sabesan

doi:10.18502/cmm.8.3.11209

Humaira Farooq Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia
Suresh V Chinni Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience, and Nursing, MAHSA University, 42610 Jenjarom, Selangor, Malaysia
Tahmina Monowar Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia
Swe Swe Latt Department of Public Health Medicine, RCSI and UCD Malaysia Campus, Penang, Malaysia
Noor Hasliza Zainol Pathology Department, Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia
Gokul Shankar Sabesan Faculty of Medicine, Manipal University College Malaysia, Melaka, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.8.3.11209

Keywords: Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Mixed yeast infections, MspI, PCRRFLP

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Invasive candidiasis is one of the most common systemic mycoses, and studies have shown mixed yeast infections. Malaysia lacks mixed yeast culture data.

Materials and Methods: Yeast isolates were collected in Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital, North Malaysia, from October 2020 to October 2021. Chromogenic Candida differential agar media and PCR-RFLP were used to identify yeast species.

Results: A total of 206 yeast isolates were collected from different body sites of patients. The majority of the yeast isolates (n=104) were obtained from the urine. Other isolates were extracted from blood (n=52), vaginal swabs (n=45), ear discharge (n=2), tracheal aspirate (n=2), tissue (n=2), skin (n=1), nail (n=1), sputum (n=1), and cerebrospinal fluid (n=1). In total, 200 yeast samples were identified as single species, and six isolates were a mixture of Candida species.

Conclusion: Malaysia lacks accurate epidemiological data on mixed yeast infections. We identified all samples to the species level, including mixed yeast cultures, using the MspI enzyme and PCR-RFLP.