Molecular evidence that the opportunistic fungal pathogen Trichosporon asahii is part of the normal fungal microbiota of the human gut based on rRNA genotyping

Otomi Cho; Manami Matsukura; Takashi Sugita

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2015.09.009

Molecular evidence that the opportunistic fungal pathogen Trichosporon asahii is part of the normal fungal microbiota of the human gut based on rRNA genotyping

Int J Infect Dis. 2015 Oct:39:87-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.09.009. Epub 2015 Sep 14.

Authors

Otomi Cho¹, Manami Matsukura¹, Takashi Sugita²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1 Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan.
² Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1 Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan. Electronic address: sugita@my-pharm.ac.jp.

PMID: 26376224
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.09.009

Abstract

The fungus Trichosporon asahii is distributed widely in the environment and is frequently isolated from clinical specimens. It can cause life-threatening disseminated infections, including breakthrough infection after the administration of candin antifungal drugs. However, the definitive infection route is still unclear. In this study, 43 T. asahii genotypes were detected in 72 fecal samples from healthy subjects. The rRNA genotypes of the species were determined using a culture-independent method. The genotypes of T. asahii were almost identical to those of reported clinical isolates. Therefore, T. asahii colonizing the gastrointestinal tract might be associated with the development of trichosporonosis, and not environmental isolates.

Keywords: Genotype; Gut; Normal microbiota; Trichosporon; rRNA.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
Female
Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology*
Genotype
Genotyping Techniques
Humans
Male
Microbiota*
Trichosporon / genetics*
Trichosporon / isolation & purification
Young Adult

Substances

DNA, Ribosomal Spacer