Molecular characterization of Candida spp. isolates from patients with bloodstream infections.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to conduct an epidemiological study comparing the genetic similarity of yeasts isolated from blood cultures. METHODS: Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) techniques were used for the Candida samples obtained from patients at the Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (HU/UFMS) in Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from 1998-2000. RESULTS: The most frequently isolated species was Candida albicans (45.8%). DNA amplification from genomic yeast isolates indicated a genetic similarity of over 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The RAPD profiles obtained were able to differentiate between the isolated Candida species, thereby suggesting that the method might be useful in epidemiological studies.