title: [Identification of three Candida africana strains in Senegal].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The frequency of candidiasis has increased dramatically in recent years. Candida albicans is the most common species. However, other species which are pathogenic and resistant to usual antifungal agents beginning to emerge. These include Candida dubliniensis and Candida africana, which share morphological similarities with Candida albicans. Thus, it is of interest to correctly identify the fungal isolates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To seek these new species among Candida strains isolated in Dakar.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oropharyngeal and vaginal swabs were performed at Fann Universitary Hospital in Dakar. The strains were identified by the germ tube test, the chlamydospore production test and an auxanogram. Then identification by PCR targeting the hyphal wall protein 1(hwp1) gene, was performed for the discrimination between Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis and Candida africana.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 243 yeasts were isolated from samples including 231 in vaginal swab and 12 in oropharyngeal swab. Species identified by phenotypic methods are Candida albicans, which is the most frequent, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida dubliniensis, Candida kefyr and Candida lusitaniae. PCR performed on the 150 strains germ tube test positive identifies three Candida africana, 109 Candida albicans and no strain of Candida dubliniensis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study isolates Candida africana for the first time in Senegal. Further studies on a larger sample will better know the actual proportion of these three species among the isolated yeasts.
authors.affiliation: Service de parasitologie-mycologie, faculté de médecine et pharmacie, université Cheikh Anta Diop, BP 5005, Dakar Fann, Dakar, Sénégal. yemoud1@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dieng
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sow
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ndiaye
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guichet
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tine
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sylla
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ndiaye
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abiola
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dieng
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ndiaye
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Le Pape
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gaye
mesh_terms: D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D013045:Species Specificity; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins