First isolation of Candida nivariensis strain in Kuwait. Screening of Candida glabrata complex

Fungal infections due to rare and uncommon yeast species are increasing globally in prevalence and are associated with high mortality rates. Here, we describe the first isolation and characterization of Candida nivariensis cultured from a tracheal aspirate sample of a 35-year-old Kuwaiti man, who suffered from epilepsy, in Kuwait. The yeast isolate was identified by multiplex PCR and confirmed by the sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA. This report extends the geographic distribution of C. nivariensis to the Middle East and highlights the pathogenic potential of uncommon yeast species causing infections in susceptible hosts.