First Report of *Cystobasidium slooffiae* in Human Wounds from China: Molecular Identification and Clinical Insights
Summary: First Chinese cases of *C. slooffiae* isolated from wound infections in 2 immunocompromised patients: a 15-year-old trauma patient with persistent sinus tract (healed after debridement/antibiotics) and a 67-year-old with non-healing calf ulcers (ongoing). Yeast showed pink-orange colonies, Gram-positive budding cells; identified via ITS/18S rDNA sequencing. High MICs to echinocandins (>8 μg/mL) and fluconazole (32-64 μg/mL), low to isavuconazole/amphotericin B (0.75-1/0.5 μg/mL). Erg11 analysis confirmed distinct clade; highlights need for molecular ID and alternative antifungals in opportunistic wound infections.
Key Highlights:
- Cases: Trauma wound (healed Jan 2022); chronic ulcers in diabetes/autoimmune (ongoing).
- Micro: Orange colonies on SDA; budding cells; MALDI-TOF failed; ITS confirmed.
- Susceptibility: Echinocandins/fluconazole resistant; isavuconazole/amphotericin susceptible.
- Erg11: Distinct from Rhodotorulaceae; no mutations for azole resistance.
- Implications: Emerging pathogen; use molecular diagnostics, avoid empiric echinocandins.
Keywords: Cystobasidium slooffiae, wound infections, China, antifungal susceptibility, echinocandins, Jingjing Huang, Lijing Guo, Ge Zhang