Assessing of mycobiome in hospital intensive care units and in clinical ambulatory services

Study design consists of a prospective sampling over a period of two years in the study groups. A minimum of 300 clinical samples are expected. All subjects will be informed of the study through informed consent. Clinical information will be obtained by completing a form containing information on epidemiological and clinical data. Data will be recorded anonymously and coded by the researcher at the hospital and dental clinic.

For mycobiota screening, a bilateral swab collection from the axillary/ groin zone will be performed. Microbiological diagnosis will begin with inoculation of the sample in appropriate culture media: Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Chromogenic Medium. Identification of isolates at species level will be based on standard criteria of macroscopic and microscopic morphology, growth temperature, biochemical profile of aerobic sugar assimilation and proteomic (MALDI-TOF MS).