Species distribution and antifungal susceptibility among clinical isolates of Candida parapsilosis complex from India

Abstract

BackgroundCandida parapsilosis is recognized as a species complex: Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto, Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis are three distinct but closely related species. AimsTo determine the species and antifungal susceptibility of members of the C. parapsilosis complex, isolated from clinical samples. MethodsIsolates identified as C. parapsilosis complex by VITEK® 2 system were included. Antifungal susceptibility test was done using the VITEK® 2 semi-automated system. The distribution of the species in the complex was determined by multiplex PCR. ResultsAmong the seventy-seven C. parapsilosis complex isolates, C. parapsilosis sensu stricto (57.1%) was the commonest species, followed by C. orthopsilosis (40.2%) and C. metapsilosis (2.5%). All three species were susceptible to amphotericin B, caspofungin and micafungin. Among C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates, 16% were resistant to fluconazole while 2.2% showed dose dependent susceptibility. Also, 18.2% of C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates showed dose dependent susceptibility to voriconazole. ConclusionsC. parapsilosis sensu stricto was the most commonly isolated member of the C. parapsilosis complex and it showed high resistance to fluconazole. A high prevalence of C. orthopsilosis (40.2%) was also noted.