Rapid acquisition of stable azole resistance by Candida glabrata isolates obtained before the clinical introduction of fluconazole.

Five azole-susceptible Candida glabrata isolates obtained before 1975 became resistant to fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole within 4 days of in vitro fluconazole exposure. This cross-resistance was stable for at least 4 months after removal of fluconazole and was associated with increased CgCDR1 and CgCDR2 expression.

High levels of hydrolytic enzymes secreted by Candida albicans isolates involved in respiratory infections.

Differences in production of two putative virulence factors of Candida albicans, phospholipase and proteinase, were determined for a large panel of clinical C. albicans isolates (n = 186) obtained from the European SENTRY programme. Seventy-two per cent of isolates produced detectable amounts of phospholipase and 95 % of isolates produced detectable amounts of proteinase.

Clinical evaluation of a NASBA-based assay for detection of Candida spp. in blood and blood cultures.

The number of life-threatening opportunistic fungal infections has shown a dramatic increase. However, the diagnosis of candidemia remains difficult. Nucleic acid amplification assays may improve the detection rate and decrease the time needed for detection and identification of Candida spp.