In recent years, the incidence of fungal infections in humans has increased dramatically, accompanied by an expansion in the number of species implicated as etiological agents, especially environmental fungi never involved before in human infection. Among fungal pathogens, Candida species are the most common opportunistic fungi that can cause local and systemic infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most common causative agent of mucosal and healthcare-associated systemic infections. However, during recent decades, there has been a worrying increase in the number of emerging multi-drug-resistant non-albicans Candida (NAC) species, i.e., C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. auris, and C. ciferrii. In particular, Candida ciferrii, also known as Stephanoascus ciferrii or Trichomonascus ciferrii, is a heterothallic ascomycete yeast-like fungus that has received attention in recent decades as a cause of local and systemic fungal diseases. Today, the new definition of the S. ciferrii complex, which consists of S. ciferrii, Candida allociferrii, and Candida mucifera, was proposed after sequencing the 18S rRNA gene. Currently, the S. ciferrii complex is mostly associated with non-severe ear and eye infections, although a few cases of severe candidemia have been reported in immunocompromised individuals. Low susceptibility to currently available antifungal drugs is a rising concern, especially in NAC species. In this regard, a high rate of resistance to azoles and more recently also to echinocandins has emerged in the S. ciferrii complex. This review focuses on epidemiological, biological, and clinical aspects of the S. ciferrii complex, including its pathogenicity and drug resistance.

Cosio, T., Pica, F., Fontana, C., Pistoia, E.s., Favaro, M., Valsecchi, I., et al. (2024). Stephanoascus ciferrii Complex: The Current State of Infections and Drug Resistance in Humans. JOURNAL OF FUNGI, 10(4), 1-34 [10.3390/jof10040294].

Stephanoascus ciferrii Complex: The Current State of Infections and Drug Resistance in Humans

Cosio T.;Pica F.;Fontana C.;Pistoia E. S.;Favaro M.;Campione E.;Gaziano R.
2024-01-01

Abstract

In recent years, the incidence of fungal infections in humans has increased dramatically, accompanied by an expansion in the number of species implicated as etiological agents, especially environmental fungi never involved before in human infection. Among fungal pathogens, Candida species are the most common opportunistic fungi that can cause local and systemic infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most common causative agent of mucosal and healthcare-associated systemic infections. However, during recent decades, there has been a worrying increase in the number of emerging multi-drug-resistant non-albicans Candida (NAC) species, i.e., C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. auris, and C. ciferrii. In particular, Candida ciferrii, also known as Stephanoascus ciferrii or Trichomonascus ciferrii, is a heterothallic ascomycete yeast-like fungus that has received attention in recent decades as a cause of local and systemic fungal diseases. Today, the new definition of the S. ciferrii complex, which consists of S. ciferrii, Candida allociferrii, and Candida mucifera, was proposed after sequencing the 18S rRNA gene. Currently, the S. ciferrii complex is mostly associated with non-severe ear and eye infections, although a few cases of severe candidemia have been reported in immunocompromised individuals. Low susceptibility to currently available antifungal drugs is a rising concern, especially in NAC species. In this regard, a high rate of resistance to azoles and more recently also to echinocandins has emerged in the S. ciferrii complex. This review focuses on epidemiological, biological, and clinical aspects of the S. ciferrii complex, including its pathogenicity and drug resistance.
2024
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Review
Esperti anonimi
Settore MED/10
English
candida ciferrii; stephanoascus ciferrii complex; antifungal agents; antifungal resistance; fungal infections; immunosuppression; yeast
Cosio, T., Pica, F., Fontana, C., Pistoia, E.s., Favaro, M., Valsecchi, I., et al. (2024). Stephanoascus ciferrii Complex: The Current State of Infections and Drug Resistance in Humans. JOURNAL OF FUNGI, 10(4), 1-34 [10.3390/jof10040294].
Cosio, T; Pica, F; Fontana, C; Pistoia, Es; Favaro, M; Valsecchi, I; Zarabian, N; Campione, E; Botterel, F; Gaziano, R
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/364824
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