Candida tropicalis is a non-albicans Candida species associated with urinary tract infections and wound infections.
Urinary tract infections: Candida tropicalis is a notable fungal pathogen in UTIs among immunocompromised patients, including those with hematologic malignancies or undergoing organ transplants. It can cause both upper and lower urinary tract infections and is often more virulent than other non-albicans species. Its high prevalence in certain hospital populations and potential antifungal resistance make it essential to monitor via molecular diagnostics (Zuza-Alves et al. 2017, Silva et al.2012).
Wound infections: Candida tropicalis is a virulent Candida species often associated with invasive infections in immunocompromised. C. tropicalis can also infect wounds and skin, especially in patients with underlying conditions, leading to persistent infections that may not respond to routine antibacterial therapy. Identification of C. tropicalis in a wound is clinically important because it guides the use of appropriate antifungal treatment and helps prevent progression to systemic infection (Fan et al. 2018).
Zuza-Alves DL, Silva-Rocha WP, Chaves GM. An Update on Candida tropicalis Based on Basic and Clinical Approaches. Front Microbiol. 2017 Oct 13;8:1927. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01927. PMID: 29081766; PMCID: PMC5645804.
Silva S, Negri M, Henriques M, Oliveira R, Williams DW, Azeredo J. Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis: biology, epidemiology, pathogenicity and antifungal resistance. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2012 Mar;36(2):288-305.
Fan, C., Tian, Q., Huang, G., Zhang, L., Wu, Q., & Zhang, K. (2018). Candida tropicalis burn wound sepsis: A series of histopathology-confirmed cases. Intensive & critical care nursing, 46, 6–9.
