PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF CLINICAL ISOLATES OF CANDIDA SPECIES AND ITS SUSCEPTIBILITY TO VARIOUS ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS: A STUDY FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH

Abstract

Background: Indiscriminate use of antifungal agents has led to rise in infections caused by Candida species in recent years. Studies on characterization of Candida species followed by antifungal susceptibility testing can be benecial in managing this problem. Objectives: To phenotypically characterize Candida species isolated from various clinical samples and to determine its susceptibility to various antifungal agents. Methods: A total of 119 Candida spp. isolated from various clinical samples were subjected for species identication and antifungal susceptibility testing using an automated Vitek-2 compact system. Results: There was predominance of Non albicans (NAC) species (82.35%) isolated from our Hospital. Candida species were isolated predominantly from blood (68.06%) sample followed by urine (26.05%). C. tropicalis was the predominant NAC species isolated (27.73%) followed by C.krusei, C.guilliermondii (12.61% each), C.parapsilosis (10.08%) and C. glabrata (7.56%). Overall the NAC isolates were resistant to uconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, amphotericin-B, and ucytosine as compared to C. albicans. Conclusion: Predominance of NAC species and emergence of antifungal drug resistance among NAC species is a matter of concern. Thus highlighting that susceptibility should be performed in all cases to achieve good therapeutic results. Strict infection control strategies and a restrictive antifungal policy should be implemented for better clinical outcome.