Antifungal susceptibilities of yeasts isolated from clinical specimens

Aim: Candidiasis is a broad range term that refers to cutaneous, mucosal, and deep-rooted organ infections caused by fungi of the genus Candida, and can occur at any age and may occur with identifiable risks for the associated risks. Worldwide, C. albicans is the most common cause of candidiasis, followed by C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata among candida species. Invasive infections caused by these fungi have a high morbidity and mortality rate, new approaches for rapid identification and characterization are of great importance for diagnosis and customization of candidas' virulence and pathogenic properties. Therefore, it was aimed to increase the knowledge and skills about the isolation, identification, and antifungal resistance profiles of candida species. Material and Method: Candida species isolated from various clinical samples of patients who applied to Dicle University Hospital between December 2019 and November 2020 were included. A total of 86 isolates were identified at genus and species level by mass spectrometry method, gradient test method was used for susceptibility profile determination of amphotericin B (AmB), anidulafungin (AND), fluconazole (FLC) and voriconazole (VRC). Results: Candida spp growth was detected in a total of 1254 clinical samples obtained from 736 (477 women, 269 men) patients. Antifungal test was studied in 86 isolates consisted of C. albicans (45), C. glabrata (20), C. tropicalis (9), C. parapsilosis (6), C. kefyr (4), C. guilliermondi (1) and C. krusei (1). AmB, FLC and VRC resistance rates in C. albicans isolates were 13.3%, 13.3% and 26.67%, respectively. AND resistance was not detected in any of the isolates. Conclusion: C. albicans was the most frequently (46.8%) isolated candida species, however there was an increase in infections due to other candida species. While no AND resistance was found among the isolates, species-based resistance was detected against other antifungals.