Multicentric genetic study of Candida albicans isolates from non-neutropenic patients using MLEE typing: population structure and mode of reproduction.

A mycological survey was conducted on non-neutropenic patients in three distinct intensive care units in two hospitals in Marseille (France) from November 1993 to November 1995. Candida albicans positive cultures from 62 patients were included in this study. Every first isolate of each patient was typed by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE). The enzyme profiles obtained from 15 polymorphic loci were then compared. This analysis demonstrated a strong population differentiation of C. albicans infective strains within and between the different care units and confirmed the probable preponderant clonal mode of reproduction of this yeast.