Investigation of the Species and Antifungal Susceptibilities of Candida Strains Isolated from Blood Cultures

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Objective: The aim was to investigate the species and antifungal susceptibilities of Candida strains isolated from blood cultures of patients. Material and Methods: Species of yeast isolates in 36 different patients’ blood cultures have been identified by using conventional microbiological techniques and commercial kits, antifungal susceptibilities were also determined with a commercial ATB Fungus 3 (bioMerieux, USA) susceptibility test kit. Results: While 19 of 36 isolates (53%) were identified as Candida albicans, the others were identified as 11 (30%) Candida parapsilosis, 2 (% 5.5) Candida glabrata, 2 (% 5.5) Candida tropicalis, 1 (3%) Candida crusei and 1 (3% ) Candida kefyr. All of the isolates (100%) were susceptible to amphotericin B and only one (3%) of 2 C.glabrata isolates was resistantant to flucytosine. While 3 of C.albicans (8%) were resistant to voriconazole, all other species were determined as susceptible to this agent. C.crusei isolates were interpreted as resistant to fluconazole due to intrinsic resistance, regardless of the minimum inhibitory concentration. Six (20%) of C.albicans isolates showed resistance to fluconazole. While resistance to itraconazole was observed among all C.glabrata and C.crusei isolates, one (50%) of 2 C.tropicalis isolates and 11 of C.albicans (58%) was detected as resistant to itraconazole. Conclusion: In conclusion, except for amphotericin B, it is observed that Candida species have different rates of resistantance against all tested antifungals, with the high rate for itraconazole. These results show the importance of species identification and antifungal susceptibility testing for the appropriate management of the treatment of invasive Candida infections.

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Candida species , antifungal susceptibilities , candidemia.

Kocatepe Medical Journal

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Kocatepe Medical Journal