Candida parapsilosis dominates the surface-colonizing yeast community in the hospital environment as revealed by a combined culture and environmental DNA approach

AIMS AND METHODS: The yeast community in the hospital environment (surface and air samples from two tertiary and one secondary hospitals) was assessed by selective cultivation, DNA metabarcoding and a novel duplex qPCR assay. RESULTS: Two WHO priority opportunistic pathogens, Candida parapsilosis and Candida albicans, were dominant in this survey. C. parapsilopsis showed a wider distribution covering all hospital zones, from outside to indoor admission halls, patient rooms and intensive care units (ICUs) protected by HEPA filters; while C. albicans was especially associated with patient rooms and ICUs. Other clinically relevant yeasts are reported, such as Candida tropicalis, Nakaseomyces glabratus (formerly Candida glabrata), Pichia kudriavzevii (formerly Candida krusei), Clavispora lusitaniae (formerly Candida lusitaniae), Meyerozyma guilliermondii (formerly Candida guilliermondii) and Lodderomyces elongisporus. CONCLUSION: This study provides relevant insights to improve the environmental microbial assessments in healthcare settings, which are vital for guaranteeing proper indoor conditions and preventing the nosocomial infections.