Application of microsatellite typing for the investigation of a cluster of cases of Candida albicans candidaemia.
A cluster of cases of Candida albicans candidaemia in a surgical intensive care unit was investigated. The probability of such a cluster during a single month was highly significant compared with the frequency of candidaemia in the previous year. A molecular typing method, based on length analysis of three (EF3, CDC3, HIS3) microsatellite-containing regions, was used to investigate isolates from patients in and outside the ward. This demonstrated the involvement of different strains, indicating the absence of cross-transmission among patients. Results of microsatellite typing can be obtained almost in real-time, which is particularly useful in an outbreak context.
Beretta
S
S
Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France.
Fulgencio
J P
JP
Enache-Angoulvant
A
A
Bernard
C
C
El Metaoua
S
S
Ancelle
T
T
Denis
M
M
Hennequin
C
C
D000368:Aged; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D016012:Poisson Distribution