Combination of micropreparative solution isoelectric focusing and high-performance liquid chromatography for differentiation of biofilm-positive and biofilm-negative Candida parapsilosis group from vascular catheter

•Sonicate from vascular catheter was spiked with cells from C. parapsilosis group.•This sonicate was analyzed by combination of sIEF and HPLC.•Different fingerprints of mentioned yeasts were obtained by these techniques.•The method is able to distinguish between members of C. parapsilosis group.•Biofilm-positive and biofilm-negative forms were distinguished.

This study utilizes the high-performance liquid chromatography technique in combination with the new micropreparative solution isoelectric focusing fractionation on non-woven fabric strip for the characterization and differentiation of biofilm-positive and biofilm-negative forms of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto on the basis of the changes in the composition of their cell-surface. Treatment of yeasts by boiling in distilled water relased surface substances from yeasts cells. Consequently, the optimized procedure has been used for fast identification of the highly pathogenic biofilm-positive Candida parapsilosis group in real clinical material – sonicate from vascular catheters. Moreover, the capillary isoelectric focusing was used as supporting and control technique. Obtained results suggest that this new method can be used to distinguish between biofilm-positive and negative forms of Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto.

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