The molecular detection for Candida famata (Debaryomyces hansenii) is used for the immediate, with high specificity and sensitivity laboratory diagnosis of the fungus (yeast) in various biological materials. Molecular testing for Candida famata (Debaryomyces hansenii) is included in the 14 different species of Yeast-like Fungi, Molecular Detection MycoScreen™.
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Candida famata is a hemiascomycetous yeast commonly found in natural substrates and in various types of cheese. It has been described in human infections. It has also been described in human infections, but its incidence is low. A worldwide review reports that D. hansenii accounts for 0.08 to 0.5% of cases of invasive candidiasis. However, the species D. hansenii (Candida famata) is extremely difficult to differentiate phenotypically.
Debaryomyces hansenii (Candida famata) belongs to the group of so-named flavinogenic yeasts capable of riboflavin over-synthesis during starvation for iron. Some strains of C. famata belong to the most flavinogenic organisms known and were used for the industrial production of riboflavin for a long time. Many strains of D. hansenii are characterized by high salt tolerance and are used for the aging of cheeses whereas some others can convert xylose to xylitol.
It has been described in human infections, including catheter-related bloodstream infections, peritonitis, acute retinopathy, and mediastinitis. It is a rare cause of candidiasis, accounting for only 0.2%–2% of isolates collected from antifungal surveillance studies. Elevated MICs of antifungal agents have been described and are a concern when treating invasive candidiasis due to C. famata.
Candida famata characteristics
- Associated with chronic adenoiditis and endophthalmitis
- The causative agent of candidal meningitis
- One of the causative agents of catheter-associated fungemia and invasive candidiasis in immunocompromised patients
- The causative agent of disseminated candidiasis (respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, sepsis, or candiduria) in preterm infants
