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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #248678
Title: Saccharomyces Fungemia Associated with Esophageal Disease Identified by D1/D2 Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequence

Author
item CHEEMA, A - University Of Illinois
item FARRELL, J - St Francis Hospital Medical Center
item Kurtzman, Cletus

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/2010
Publication Date: 3/12/2011
Citation: Cheema, A., Farrell, J., Kurtzman, C.P. 2011. Saccharomyces Fungemia Associated with Esophageal Disease Identified by D1/D2 Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequence. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Disseminated Saccharomyces infection has been reported in immunosuppressed patients treated with probiotics, but disseminated Saccharomyces cerevisiae infection associated with underlying esophageal disease is not previously described. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (which occasionally colonizes the gastrointestinal tract) is closely related to Canidida albicans, and may be misidentified by common automated microbiologic systems. The relative resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to azole drugs and its ability to cause widespread infections with multi-organ involvement makes rapid, correct identification critical. Using the standard yeast card, the Vitex-2 system identified one yeast as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and one as Zygosaccharomyces bailii. We found no documented cases of Zygosaccharomyces fungemia so we employed DNA sequencing to confirm the Vitek identification. Based on the nucleotide sequence of the D1/D2 LSU ribosomal RNA gene both the fungi were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae.