Species distribution and drug susceptibility of candida in clinical isolates from a tertiary care centre at Indore.

BACKGROUND

The incidence of fungal infections has increased significantly, contributing to morbidity andmortality. This is caused by an alarming increase in infections with multi-drug resistant bacteria leading to overuse of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, which lead to overgrowth of Candida, thus enhancing its opportunity to cause disease. Candida are major human fungal pathogens that cause both mucosal and deep tissue infections.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to identify the distribution of Candida species among clinical isolates and their sensitivity pattern for common antifungal drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred and thirty-sevendifferent clinical isolates of Candida were collected from patients visiting to a tertiary care centre of Indore from 2010 to 2012. Identification of Candida species as well antifungal sensitivity testing was performed with Vitek2 Compact (Biomerieux France) using ID-YST Kits. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed with AST YS01 KitsonVitek2 Compact.

RESULTS

We found that the non-albicans Candida were more prevalent than Candida albicans in paediatric (<3 year) and older (>60 year) patients than other age group (4-18, 19-60 years) patients and also in intensive care unit (ICU) patients as compared to out patient department (OPD) patients. Resistance rates for amphotericin B, fluconazole, flucytosine, itraconazole, and voriconazolewere 2.9%, 5.9%, 0.0%, 4.2% and 2.5%%, respectively. All the strains of C. krusei were found resistant to fluconazole with intermediate sensitivity to flucytosine.

CONCLUSION

Species-level identification of Candidaand their antifungal sensitivity testing should be performed to achieve better clinical results.