Candida tropicalis in environmental and animal reservoirs: a systematic review from a One Health perspective.
Milena Izabel Dos Santos Rodrigues, Maria Luiza Mattiuzzo de Carvalho, Vinicius Franco Wirti et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined Candida tropicalis in environmental and animal sources, synthesizing evidence on antifungal susceptibility, virulence-associated traits, and resistance mechanisms. It included 35 studies and 1011 isolates, of which 68.6% were environmental and 31.4% animal-derived. Fluconazole resistance or reduced susceptibility was reported in 358/1008 isolates (35.5%; 95% CI: 32.6-38.5%). The review also found frequent biofilm formation and hemolytic activity, and reported cross-resistance between clinical azoles and agricultural fungicides in six of seven studies assessing both.
Key findings
- Fluconazole resistance or reduced susceptibility was reported in 358/1008 isolates (35.5%; 95% CI: 32.6-38.5%).
- Strong biofilm formation occurred in 94/130 isolates (72.3%; 95% CI: 64.1-79.3%), and strong hemolytic activity in 48/80 (60.0%; 95% CI: 49.0-70.0%).
- Cross-resistance between clinical azoles and agricultural fungicides was reported in six of the seven studies evaluating both compound classes.
- Molecular analyses identified recurrent ERG11 mutations and overexpression of efflux pump-related genes.
Why it matters
The review brings together evidence that non-clinical C. tropicalis reservoirs can contain isolates with antifungal resistance, virulence-associated traits, and mechanisms also recognized in clinical isolates. This supports attention to environmental and animal sources within a One Health understanding of how resistant and potentially virulent lineages may be maintained and disseminated.
What to keep in mind
The findings synthesize heterogeneous studies, and cross-resistance evidence came from only seven studies assessing both clinical azoles and agricultural fungicides.