Phenotypic and Molecular Evaluation of Echinocandin Susceptibility of Candida glabrata, Candida bracarensis, and Candida nivariensis Strains Isolated during 30 Years in Argentina

Abstract

The echinocandin susceptibilities of 122 <i>Candida glabrata</i> complex strains (including 5 <i>Candida nivariensis</i> and 3 <i>Candida bracarensis</i> strains) were evaluated by microdilution and compared with the results from a molecular tool able to detect FKS mutations. No echinocandin resistance was detected. The PCR results coincide with the MIC data in 99.25% of the cases (1 <i>C. glabrata</i> strain was misidentified as resistant) but were 20 h faster. <i>C. nivariensis FKS</i> genes were sequenced and showed differences with <i>C. glabrata</i><i>FKS</i> genes.