First isolation of Candida dubliniensis in Rio grande do sul, Brazil

Candida dubliniensis is a newly recognized species closely phylogenetically related to Candida albicans and is commonly associated with oral candidias is in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. In this paper we repo rt the isolation of three strains of C. dubliniensis, from AIDS patients, i n the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). The phenotypic identification wa s based on germ tube emission, abundant production of chlamydospores, assim ilation of sucrose but not of xylose and the inability to grow at 42 degree sC. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and genomic DNA sequ encing confirmed the distinct genetic nature C. dubliniensis. Topics relate d to the epidemiology, isolation, phenotypical and genotypical identificati on of C, dubliniensis are also discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. Al l rights reserved.