Project description:Kodamaea ohmeri is a rarely occurring yeast that can cause human infections. We describe the whole-genome sequence of a K. ohmeri clinical blood isolate.
Project description:Kodamaea ohmeri is an environmental yeast considered a rare emerging pathogen. In clinical settings, the correct identification of this yeast is relevant because some isolates are associated with resistance to antifungals. There is a lack of available data regarding the geographical distribution, virulence, and drug resistance profile of K. ohmeri. To contribute to the knowledge of this yeast, this study aimed to describe in depth three isolates of K. ohmeri associated with fungemia in Honduras. The identification of the isolates was carried out by sequencing the ribosomal ITS region. In addition, the susceptibility profile to antifungals was determined, and some properties associated with virulence were evaluated (exoenzyme production, biofilm formation, cell adhesion, and invasion). The isolates showed strong protease, phospholipase, and hemolysin activity, in addition to being biofilm producers. Adherence and invasion capacity were evident in the HeLa and Raw 264.7 cell lines, respectively. This study expands the understanding of the underlying biological traits associated with virulence in K. ohmeri, and it is the first report of the detection and identification of K. ohmeri in Honduras as a cause of human infection.
Project description:Kodamaea ohmeri is a rare yeast pathogen that has recently emerged as an important cause of fungaemia in immunocompromised patients. In most cases, identification to the species level requires the adoption of new tools, including matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) or DNA sequencing. As K. ohmeri is a teleomorph of Candida guilliermondii var. membranaefaciens and its susceptibility to fluconazole is variable, a rapid and accurate identification of this yeast is important. Echinocandins may be the first choice for empiric therapy for this pathogen. We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient from North China who developed a catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by K. ohmeri. He was treated with caspofungin in hospital. He improved after removal of the central venous catheter and use of caspofungin as therapy. The K. ohmeri strain was identified using a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer and a Vitek 2YST card. Definitive identification was obtained by a sequencing test of the internal transcribed spacer regions of the rDNA. Our patient findings, the first reported in mainland China, highlighted the diagnostic challenges associated with catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by fungi.