High frequency of Candida parapsilosis on the hands of healthy hosts.

The presence of yeasts on the hands of 86 healthy hosts (62 hospital workers and 24 healthy members of the community with no hospital exposure) was investigated. A high rate of colonization was found (59.3%). Candida parapsilosis was the most frequently isolated species (51%), independent of the origin of the samples. The potential virulence and resistance to antifungals of the 26 C. parapsilosis isolates were determined. All were proteinase producers and formed biofilms. The haemolytic activity was variable, with a predominance of total haemolysis of sheep erythrocytes. All isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B but two showed reduced susceptibility to fluconazole. Healthy people may be colonized by a species of yeast with a high capacity for adhesion to plastic surfaces, providing an infection risk to susceptible individuals.

Influence of the hospital environment on yeast colonization in nursing students.

Fungemias have increased in recent decades, with high indices of morbidity and mortality. The agents of fungal infection isolated most often are yeasts, which can be acquired by direct contact with already colonized individuals. The present study aimed to detect yeast colonization in nursing students, and to study the possible influence of the hospital environment on colonization. The nasal cavities and hands of 22 students were sampled before and after a 62-day hospital training period. The yeast colonies that developed were identified using standard techniques. In total, 47 yeast samples were isolated, which were part of the normal flora of 15 (68%) students. Candida albicans was the species isolated most often (P < 0.05), comprising 59.6% of all isolates. The hospital environment affected colonization, as following the training period there was a significant increase in the number of microorganisms isolated, and also replacement of less virulent species by C. albicans. Our results are important because hospital infections of fungal origin are emerging today, and cross-transmission appears to be an important factor. In this situation, prophylactic measures are necessary to control the nosocomial microbial flora and thus reduce the incidence of hospital infections.