Saudi Journal of Pathology and Microbiology (SJPM)
Volume-4 | Issue-05 | 422-426
Original Research Article
Prevalence of Azole Resistance in Various Candida Species in Various Clinical Specimens at Tertiary Care Hospital
Dr. Nidhi Barot, Dr. Disha Patel, Dr. Sumeeta Soni, Dr. Hetal Shah, Dr. M. M. Vegad
Published : May 30, 2019
Abstract
Background: Candida infections are among the most common fungal infection affecting immunocompromised patients
in various disciplines of the health care system. In recent decades, due to dramatic increase in invasive fungal infections
and related more common use of the antifungal therapy, resistance to antifungal agents has become an issue. Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of candida species in various clinical specimen & their resistance to azole group of
antifungal agents. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted at tertiary care hospital during January 2014 to June
2015. Total 23,896 samples (urine, blood, high vaginal swabs, oropharyngeal swab, body fluid, corneal scrapping, etc)
were received over study period. Result: Out of total 8864 culture positive specimen, candida species were isolated in
644 specimens. Among total 644 Candida isolates, C.albicans is the most prevalent species (44%). Amphotericin B
(99.6%) had the maximum rate of susceptibility amongst all the antifungal agents, followed by Voriconazole with 94.8%
susceptibility. Fluconazole, Itraconazole & Miconazole were 73.3%, 73.44% & 74.22% susceptible respectively.
Conclusion: Azole derivatives represent one of the major groups of antifungal drugs used in clinical practice to treat
fungal infections. Empirical usage of Fluconazole in immune-compromised patients appeared to have played a major role
in rising emergence of non albicans species resistant to Fluconazole.