Clinical Characteristics and Antifungal Susceptibility of Candida nivariensis from Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Objectives: The aim of this work is to evaluate the susceptibility profile of the isolates against antifungal drugs and the level of virulent genes and resistant genes mRNA expression of Candida nivariensis. Methods: We analyzed a collection of 9 C. nivariensis isolates from clinical isolates of Candida glabrata complex isolated from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Antifungal susceptibilities of the isolates were assayed by using the broth microdilution method. The level of virulent genes and resistant genes mRNA expression was determined by using real-time PCR. Results: At day 7–14 and day 30–35 follow-up, mycological cure of VVC caused by C. nivariensis was 5 in 9 and 4 in 9 cases. The minimum inhibitory concentration geometric means of caspofungin, fluconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B in C. nivariensis isolates were higher than those in Candida albicans ATCC90028 (0.340, 1.852, 0.367, and 1.587 vs. 0.124, 0.140, 0.030, and 0.891 µg/mL; p < 0.05). The level of resistant genes ERG11, CDR1, and CDR2 and virulent genes YPS1, AWP3, and EPA1 mRNA expression was higher in C. nivariensis isolates than that of C. glabrata (2.58 ± 0.78, 9.31 ± 5.19, 11.10 ± 0.76, 13.57 ± 0.54, 11.96 ± 2.93, and 14.40 ± 0.61 vs. 1.05 ± 1.19, 2.22 ± 0.27, 0.85 ± 0.48, 0.30 ± 0.37, 1.90 ± 0.43, and 2.40 ± 0.65). Conclusion: We conclude that patients infected with C. nivariensis were symptomatic and with a low mycological cure rate when treated with commonly used antifungal agents. Compared with C. albicans, C. nivariensis is more antifungal resistant and virulent