AUTHOR=Wu Na , Wu Yusheng , Chu Yunzhuo , Ren Zhihui , Li Hailong , Rong Chen , Yang Min , Jiang Ning , Jiang Yanyan , Chen Jingjing , Zhang Jingping , Tian Sufei 

TITLE=The first rare case of Candida palmioleophila infection reported in China and its genomic evolution in a human host environment

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1165721

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1165721

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Introduction</title><p><italic>Candida palmioleophila</italic> is a rare human pathogenic fungus, which has been poorly characterized at the genome level. In this study, we reported the first fatal case of <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> infection in China and investigate the microevolution of <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> in the human host environment.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>A series of <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> stains were collected from the patient at different time points for routine microbial and drug sensitivity testing. The first <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> isolate 07202534 was identified by <italic>de novo</italic> whole genome sequencing. The <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> genetic evolutionary characteristics of <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> were discussed based on the analysis of bioinformatics data.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>The six <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> isolates displayed dose-dependent sensitivity to fluconazole. The <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> genome contained homologous genes such as <italic>CDR1</italic> and <italic>MDR1,</italic> which were recognized to be related to azole resistance. In addition, amino acid variation was detected at F105L and other important sites of <italic>ERG11</italic>. In addition, the mean divergence time between <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> and <italic>Scheffersomyces stipites</italic> CBS 6054 was 406.04 million years, indicating that <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> originated earlier than its closest relative. In addition, the six strains of <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> isolated form the patient had higher homology and fewer mutation sites, which indicated the stability in <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> genome. We also found that <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> had a wide natural niche and may evolve slowly.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Discussion</title><p>We believe that this study will contribute to improve our understanding of the genetic evolution, pathogenicity, and drug resistance of <italic>C. palmioleophila</italic> and will aid in the prevention and control of its spread.</p></sec>