Overview on the Infections Related to Rare Candida Species

Abstract

Atypical Candida spp. infections are rising, mostly due to the increasing numbers of immunocompromised patients. The most common Candida spp. is still Candida albicans; however, in the last decades, there has been an increase in non-Candida albicans Candida species infections (e.g., Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis). Furthermore, in the last 10 years, the reports on uncommon yeasts, such as Candida lusitaniae, Candida intermedia, or Candida norvegensis, have also worryingly increased. This review summarizes the information, mostly related to the last decade, regarding the infections, diagnosis, treatment, and resistance of these uncommon Candida species. In general, there has been an increase in the number of articles associated with the incidence of these species. Additionally, in several cases, there was a suggestive antifungal resistance, particularly with azoles, which is troublesome for therapeutic success.

Keywords: Candida africana; Candida blankii; Candida bracarensis; Candida famata; Candida guilliermondii; Candida kefyr; Candida lipolytica; Candida lusitaniae; Candida nivariensis; Candida pulcherrima; Candida rugosa.

Figure 1

(A) Number of reports published between 2000 and 2010 and 2011 and 2021 associated with rare Candida sp. (B) Data/Statistics: (A) the number of reports determined using PubMed^® filters; (B) percentages calculated from the n of each rare Candida species and n of all rare Candida species considered in this review, the reports between 2011 and 2021, according to the search made in NIH and PubMed^®—Medline.

Figure 2

Worldwide incidence distribution of rare Candida species. (Data/Statistics: countries reported in papers published between 2011 and 2021, according to the search made in NIH and PubMed^®—Medline).