[Cyberlindnera fabianii: first clinical isolate in Chile].

BACKGROUND: Although considered an unusual etiological agent, Cyberlindnera(Candida)fabianii has been related to septicemia in several reports in recent years. Its doubtful or uncertain identification when using tests such as CHROMagar Candida, API® Candida, API® ID32C or VITEK® MS, leads to an underestimation of the cases produced by this yeast.

AIMS: To report the first isolation of C. fabianii in Chile and its identification.

METHODS: The sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) was performed. Antifungal susceptibility profiles were obtained by means of the broth microdilution technique.

RESULTS: The identification was only reached by sequencing the ITS regions, which shows the limited usefulness of the conventional techniques in the identification of some yeast species. A dendrogram shows the phylogenetic relationship of the isolated strain with some other yeast species.

CONCLUSION: In the identification of fastidious microorganisms or microorganisms whose identification is not completely reliable when using classical or even advanced methodologies, such as mass spectrometry, sequencing techniques are essential.