The molecular detection for Candida krusei is used for the immediate, with high specificity and sensitivity laboratory diagnosis of the fungus (yeast) in various biological materials. Molecular testing for Candida krusei is included in the 14 different species of Yeast-like Fungi, Molecular Detection MycoScreen™.
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C. krusei produces cylindrical yeast cells that may have up to 25 µm in length. They usually resemble long-grain rice, which contrasts with the spheric or ovoid shape of other Candida species. Like C. albicans, C. krusei shows thermo-dimorphism, producing hyphae when growing at 37°C and blastoconidia and pseudohyphae when incubated at lower temperatures.
Several studies have demonstrated that C. krusei, like other Candida species, is capable of secreting hydrolytic enzymes that could degrade host macromolecules, contributing to nutrient acquisition, degrading immune effectors, or in the dissemination within the host tissues.
The treatment of Candida infections includes the use of several kinds of family compounds, named polyenes, azoles, echinocandins, nucleoside analogs, and allylamines. Fluconazole is one of the most common antifungal drugs used for the empirical treatment of candidiasis; however, C. krusei is a species intrinsically resistant to this drug, with more than 95% of clinical and veterinary isolates being fluconazole-resistant.
Candida kruzei characteristics
- Associated with candidemia with a high mortality rate in surgical and neutropenic patients
- The causative agent of multiresistant invasive candidiasis
