FUNGAL PROFILE & ANTIFUNGAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF DIFFERENT CANDIDA SPECIES IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF CENTRAL INDIA.

Abstract

Background & Method: The aim of this study is to study the antifungal susceptibility
testing pattern of different Candida species isolated. Among 5000 total samples a total of 40
Candida species were isolated from different clinical specimens. Different samples taken
were urine, blood, sputum, stool, body fluid, vaginal swabs, pus etc.
Smear showing pus cells, budding yeast cells and pseudohyphae denoted infection by
Candida species. But in case of C. glabrata, presence of pus cells and yeast cells were
indicative of infection.
Result: 60% isolates were C. albicans followed by C. krusei (17.5%). By disk diffusion
method, 16 (41.46%) isolates were resistant to Fluconazole, 14 (36.58%) isolates were
resistant to clotrimozole. All the isolates were sensitive to Amphotericin –B. P-Value =
0.011, which is significant statistically.
Conclusion: C. albicans remains the main species but increasing incidence of non albicans
Candida spp. has also been reported, and their antifungal drug susceptibility among patients
visiting our tertiary care hospital. An increase in the predisposing conditions in recent years
has resulted in an increasing incidence of Candida infections. Therefore species level
identification of Candida isolates along with their antifungal susceptibility patterns can
greatly influence the treatment options for the Clinician and may have an impact on the
patient care.