title: Candida kefyr as a cause of bloodstream infection and adjunctive role of biomarkers in its diagnosis.
abstract: A rare case of bloodstream infection caused by Candida kefyr is described. The diagnosis was established by repeatedly isolating the yeast in blood cultures and by detecting C. kefyr-specific DNA in serum samples. Demonstration of elevated serum levels of β-D-glucan and Candida mannan also provided additional diagnostic evidence. The identity of the isolates was confirmed by PCR sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA. This is the first report of C. kefyr candidemia from Kuwait and the Middle East. The report highlights emerging clinical significance of rare Candida spp. in etiology of candidemia and reinforces the adjunctive role of biomarkers in diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of microbiology, faculty of medicine, Kuwait university, P.O. Box 24923, 1311 Safat, Kuwait. Electronic address: zkhan@hsc.edu.kw.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of microbiology, faculty of medicine, Kuwait university, P.O. Box 24923, 1311 Safat, Kuwait.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Unit of microbiology, Al-Amiri hospital, Kuwait.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Al-Obaid
authors.affiliation: Department of microbiology, faculty of medicine, Kuwait university, P.O. Box 24923, 1311 Safat, Kuwait.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of microbiology, faculty of medicine, Kuwait university, P.O. Box 24923, 1311 Safat, Kuwait.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chandy
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058387:Candidemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004271:DNA, Fungal
keywords: Candida DNA; Candida kefyr; Candida mannan; DNA de Candida; Koweit; Kuwait; Mannane de Candida; β-D-glucan; β-D-glucane