Ambientes domésticos de la Costa Ecuatoriana como reservorios de levaduras potencialmente patógenas

Abstract

Introduction: Infectious diseases are one of the leading causes of global mortality, transmitted by microorganisms in human environments. Urbanization has altered human exposure to these microorganisms, affecting immune health. Domestic environments, such as dishwashers and drains, serve as reservoirs of extremophile microorganisms capable of surviving in extreme conditions. Objective: To determine the diversity of cultivable yeasts that colonize extreme domestic environments in the coastal region of Ecuador. Methodology: Samples were collected from biofilms, drains, and dish dryers, followed by primary isolation, which was cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose agar. Each isolate was characterized morphologically, physiologically, and biochemically. Before characterization, virulence factors were evaluated, and molecular techniques were used to identify the species to which it belongs. Results: Ten locations were selected, from which 28 microbial strain isolates were obtained. From these strains, 12 yeasts were identified, and various virulence factors were determined, including hemolysin, protease, and lipase. PCR amplification of the ITS region revealed that the most common strains belonged to the genera Candida metapsilosis and Kodamaea ohmeri. Conclusion: The prevalence of pathogenic yeasts in domestic environments is highlighted, which has implications for human health in the coastal region of Ecuador.