The molecular detection for Candida glabrata is used for the immediate, with high specificity and sensitivity laboratory diagnosis of the fungus (yeast) in various biological materials. Molecular testing for Candida glabrata is included in the 14 different species of Yeast-like Fungi, Molecular Detection MycoScreen™.
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Candida glabrata is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen that accounts for up to 29% of total Candida bloodstream infections. Its prevalence varies with the geographic area. While C. glabrata is the second most common bloodstream Candida species after C. albicans in Northern Europe and the USA, it ranks as the third or fourth most prevalent invasive Candida pathogen in Asia. Recent epidemiological surveys have shown a decrease in the frequency of C. albicans and an increased prevalence of non-albicans Candida. C. glabrata bloodstream infections are commonly found in elderly individuals, diabetic patients, and solid organ transplant recipients. C. glabrata is also a causative agent of urinary tract and vaginal infections.
The current taxonomy of C. glabrata is the Kingdom Fungi, Subkingdom Dikarya, Phlyum Ascomycota, Subphylum Saccharomycotina, Class Saccharomycetes, Order Saccharomycetales, Family Saccharomycetaceae, Genus Nakaseomyces, Clade Nakaseomyces/Candida and Species glabrata.
Clinically, C. glabrata is primarily diagnosed via culture-based assays, microscopic examination (presence of small-sized yeast cells and lack of hyphal structures), and biochemical methods, assimilation of glucose and trehalose sugars. Additionally, molecular methods which can identify Candida species, like C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. krusei, are increasingly being used for rapid Candida species detection.
Candida glabrata characteristics
- Highly active in biofilm formation
- The causative agent of vulvovaginal candidiasis, especially in patients with diabetes mellitus; patients taking maintenance doses of azoles; and patients who regularly douche
- The most common causative agent of urinary tract infections, endocarditis, and meningitis among other fungi of the genus Candida
- The predominant species of Candida non-albicans isolated from patients with candidemia. Risk factors of candidemia are similar to those of other species, but mortality from C. glabrata-associated infection is higher than with other Candida species. It is predominantly the causative agent of candidemia in patients undergoing abdominal surgery (the risk is higher in patients older than 60 years) and HIV-infected patients
