Molecular identification, virulence factors (adhesion, biofilm, hydrolytic enzyme) activity and antifungal sensitivity analysis of Candida spp. obtained from patients in intensive care unit

Candida species are most commonly isolated in fungal infections in intensive care unit (ICU). Although C. albicans is known as the most common disease causing Candida species, non-albicans Candida spp. isolated in recent years increasing rapidly. In this study, Candida isolates isolated from patients in ICU; it was aimed to analyze the species, virulence factors and sensitivity to antifungals. Candida isolated from samples taken from 100 patients were identified by standard microbiological methods. Yeasts thought to be Candida sequencing using primers ITS-1 and ITS-4, adhesion, biofilm and virulence factor tests were performed. Determine the resistance of the isolates to antifungals, they were analyzed in the BD Phoenix automated system and their sensitivity profiles were determined. By results in study, the most common species was C. albicans, followed by C. parapsipolis. Very strong positive biofilm activity was observed in 15 of the isolates. Phospholipase in 42%; proteinase in 52%; hemolysis activity was detected as positive in 77%; of isolates. The highest resistance was observed against fluconazole. In our study, it was determined that frequency of isolation of non-albicans Candida was at significant rates. It is thought that it would be beneficial to study new antifungal agents by increasing genotypic and phenotypic studies of the relationship between antifungal resistance and virulence factors.