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Wickerhamomyces anomalus is an emerging pathogen, which has been associated with clonal outbreaks and poor clinical outcomes. Despite being an important emerging yeasts species, our understanding concerning the microbiological and clinical characteristics of infections due to this species is limited. Herein, we are reporting a retrospective analysis of fungemia patients with W. anomalus from a 2,100-bed hospital in Shanghai during 2014–2016. Moreover, we conducted an extensive literature review to gain a deeper clinical and microbiological insights. Detailed clinical data were recorded. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) followed CLSI M27-A3, and isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF MS. In total, 13 patients were identified with a mortality rate of 38.5% (5/13). Central venous catheter (CVC), broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), surgery, and mechanical ventilation were the most frequently observed risk factors. Eight patients (61.5%) experienced mixed bacterial/Candida bloodstream infections, and four patients developed mixed candidemia (MC). W. anomalus isolates showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against all azoles tested and flucytosine, while AMB showed the highest in vitro activity. Azoles were used for 84.6% (11/13) of the cases, while 36.4% (4/11) of them died. When combining with the AFST data and the literature review, our study highlights the poor efficacy of azoles and optimal efficacy of AMB and LAMB against infections caused by W. anomalus. In conclusion, our study highlights the emerging threat of W. anomalus affecting both neonates and adults. Furthermore, our results advocate the use of AMB formulations rather than azoles among patients infected with W. anomalus. Future studies are warranted to reach a definitive consensus regarding the utility of echinocandins among such patients.

As the second leading etiological agent of candidemia in Turkey and the cause of severe fluconazole-non-susceptible (FNS) clonal outbreaks, Candida parapsilosis emerged as a major health threat at Ege University Hospital (EUH). Evaluation of microbiological and pertinent clinical profiles of candidemia patients due to C. parapsilosis in EUH in 2019-2020. Candida parapsilosis isolates were collected from blood samples and identified by sequencing internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed in accordance with CLSI M60 protocol and ERG11 and HS1/HS2-FKS1 were sequenced to explore the fluconazole and echinocandin resistance, respectively. Isolates were typed using a multilocus microsatellite typing assay. Relevant clinical data were obtained for patients recruited in the current study. FNS C. parapsilosis isolates were recovered from 53% of the patients admitted to EUH in 2019-2020. Y132F was the most frequent mutation in Erg11. All patients infected with C. parapsilosis isolates carrying Y132F, who received fluconazole showed therapeutic failure and significantly had a higher mortality than those infected with other FNS and susceptible isolates (50% vs. 16.1%). All isolates carrying Y132F grouped into one major cluster and mainly recovered from patients admitted to chest diseases and pediatric surgery wards. The unprecedented increase in the number of Y132F C. parapsilosis, which corresponded with increased rates of fluconazole therapeutic failure and mortality, is worrisome and highlights the urgency for strict infection control strategies, antifungal stewardship, and environmental screening in EUH., Major National R&D Projects of the National Health Department [2018ZX10101003]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [31770161]; Shanghai Science and Technology Committee [17DZ2272900, 14495800500]; Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning [2017ZZ01024-001]; Shanghai Sailing Program [19YF1448000]; Chinese Academy of Engineering [2019-XY-33], This work was supported by the Major National R&D Projects of the National Health Department [2018ZX10101003], National Natural Science Foundation of China [31770161], Shanghai Science and Technology Committee [17DZ2272900 and 14495800500], Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning [2017ZZ01024-001], Shanghai Sailing Program [19YF1448000], and the Chinese Academy of Engineering [2019-XY-33].