Short communicationMicrosatellite-based genotyping of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates reveals dominance and persistence of a particular epidemiological clone among neonatal intensive care unit patients

In this study, using multilocus microsatellite analysis, we report the genetic characterization of 27 Candida parapsilosis isolates recovered in two different periods of time (2007-2009 and 2011-2012) from infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital in Messina, Italy. The results revealed the persistence and dominance of a particular infectious genotype among NICU patients and highlight the power of the used microsatellite markers in clarifying epidemiologic associations, detect micro-evolutionary variations and facilitating the recognition of outbreaks.

► We studied Candida parapsilosis isolates mainly recovered from blood cultures of infants. ► No Candida orthopsilosis or Candida metapsilosis were found in this study. ► Multilocus microsatellite analysis revealed a cluster of highly related genotypes. ► The study shows persistence and possible cross-transmission of a particular infectious genotype. ► Microsatellite markers used are suitable in clarifying epidemiologic associations.