Occurrence and In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility of Candida Spp. Isolated from Decayed Tree Parts in Green Urban Areas from Pisa (Central Italy)

Trees and grass are proven sources of potentially pathogenic yeasts. Among fungi regarded as human/animal pathogens, several Candida Spp. are involved. Since wooded areas are frequented by people and their pets, aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of potentially pathogenic yeasts on decaying vegetal material from trees in 2 city parks in Pisa, Italy. A total of 186 samples was collected. The antimycotic drug sensitivity pattern of cultured Candida spp. was evaluated versus fluconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin and amphotericin B, by Etest. Sixteen trees out of 31 (51.6%) scored positive for yeasts, and twenty-six fungal isolates were cultured. Thermotolerant strains, such as Candida Famata (6/6), Candida Guilliermondii (4/4), Candida Membranaefaciens (2/3) and Candi Famata (1/1), were obtained. All the yeasts were sensitive to amphotericin B, 2 C. Famata were resistant to assayed azoles, and this fungal species was the only one susceptible to caspofungin, while fluconazole was effective versus all C. Guillermondii isolates. Although the relatively small sample size, decaying vegetal material from trees growing in sampled recreational green areas, would seem to be a natural site harboring potentially pathogens yeasts, characterized by low sensitivity against some important antimycotic drugs.