Sequence-based identification, genotyping and virulence factors of Trichosporon asahii strains isolated from urine samples of hospitalized patients (2011–2016)

Introduction: Trichosporon asahii is the most common species that causes trichosporonosis. Materials and methods: In the present study, a collection of 68 T. asahii strains recovered from hospitalized patients urine samples between 2011 and 2016 was examined. T. asahii strains were identified by sequencing the intergenic spacer 1 region (IGS1) and genotyped. In addition, proteinase, phospholipase, esterase, haemolytic activity, and biofilm formation of a total of T. asahii strains were investigated. Results: The predominant genotype was 1 (79.3%) and followed by 5 (8%), 3 (6.9%), 6 (3.4%), 4 (1.1%), 9 (1.1%). In none of the 68 strains, proteinase and phospholipase activities could be detected, while all were found to be esterase positive. Biofilm production and hemolytic activity were detected in 23.5 and 97% respectively. Discussion: Our results indicated that six genotypes were (1, 5, 3, 6, 4, 9) present among T. asahii strains and no property was found to associate with a genotype, in terms of virulence factors.