Emerging Multidrug-Resistant Candida duobushaemulonii Infections in Panama Hospitals: Importance of Laboratory Surveillance and Accurate Identification

Abstract

ABSTRACT Candida duobushaemulonii , a yeast closely related to Candida auris , is thought to cause infections in rare cases and is often misidentified. In October 2016, the Panamanian Ministry of Health implemented laboratory surveillance for C. auris . Suspected C. auris isolates were forwarded to the national reference laboratory for identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry and antifungal susceptibility testing. Between November 2016 and May 2017, 17 of 36 (47%) isolates suspected to be C. auris were identified as C. duobushaemulonii. These 17 isolates were obtained from 14 patients at six hospitals. Ten patients, including three children, had bloodstream infections, and MICs for fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B were elevated. No resistance to echinocandins was observed. C. duobushaemulonii causes more invasive infections than previously appreciated and poses a substantial problem, given its resistance to multiple antifungals. Expanded laboratory surveillance is an important step in the detection and control of such emerging pathogens.