New Zealand researchers have developed a test that could help detect candidemia faster. It is a fungal infection most commonly seen in immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patients, or in patients with intravenous catheters.
It is known to be caused by Candida species (also known as Candidemia, Candedemia, and Invasive Candidiasis), but can be caused by other fungi as well.
Recently it has also been suggested the otherwise immunocompetent patients taking infliximab may be at a higher risk of developing the dangerous infetion.
The diagnosis is complicated, as routine blood cultures have poor sensitivity.
Now a team led by a Massey University researcher has developed a diagnostic tool that could save the lives of some of the 60 people estimated to die each year in New Zealand from candidemia – and thousands of such patients worldwide.
Dr Jan Schmid, a senior lecturer in microbiology within the Institute of Molecular Biosciences BioMedical Research group, has discovered a particular strain of Candida albicans, which is twice as likely to lead to death in young immuno-compromised patients such as prematurely born infants.
“Candidemia is a disease that is time-consuming and difficult to diagnose,” Dr Schmid says. “It affects patients, who are already quite sick, and by the time it is diagnosed through blood analysis it is often too late.”
Dr Schmid’s team discovered a Candida genotype that is more virulent in young patients. “We analysed a strain collection in Italy with mortality data from patients,” he says. “What we found is that young patients with this particular genotype were twice as likely to die from candidemia.”
It is known to be caused by Candida species (also known as Candidemia, Candedemia, and Invasive Candidiasis), but can be caused by other fungi as well.
Recently it has also been suggested the otherwise immunocompetent patients taking infliximab may be at a higher risk of developing the dangerous infetion.
The diagnosis is complicated, as routine blood cultures have poor sensitivity.
Now a team led by a Massey University researcher has developed a diagnostic tool that could save the lives of some of the 60 people estimated to die each year in New Zealand from candidemia – and thousands of such patients worldwide.
Dr Jan Schmid, a senior lecturer in microbiology within the Institute of Molecular Biosciences BioMedical Research group, has discovered a particular strain of Candida albicans, which is twice as likely to lead to death in young immuno-compromised patients such as prematurely born infants.
“Candidemia is a disease that is time-consuming and difficult to diagnose,” Dr Schmid says. “It affects patients, who are already quite sick, and by the time it is diagnosed through blood analysis it is often too late.”
Dr Schmid’s team discovered a Candida genotype that is more virulent in young patients. “We analysed a strain collection in Italy with mortality data from patients,” he says. “What we found is that young patients with this particular genotype were twice as likely to die from candidemia.”
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