Candida khanbhai sp. nov., a new clinically relevant yeast within the Candida haemulonii species complex

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections caused by non-albicans Candida species are increasingly reported. Recent advances in diagnostic and molecular tools enabled better identification and detection of these emerging pathogenic yeasts. Several of these emerging species belong to the Candida haemulonii species complex, which attracted much attention due to the rapid global emergence of its multi-drug resistant member Candida auris. Here, we describe a new clinically relevant yeast isolated from geographically distinct regions, representing the proposed novel species Candida khanbhai, member of the C. haemulonii species complex. Moreover, several members of the C. haemulonii species complex were observed to be invalidly described, including Candida auris and Candida vulturna. Hence, the opportunity was taken to correct this here, formally validating the names of various yeast species.