Identification of Candida Species and Its Antifungal Susceptibility from Various Clinical Samples

Background:- Candida species are true opportunistic pathogens that exploit recent technological advances to gain access to the circulation and deep tissues. Candida species produce a wide spectrum of diseases, ranging from superficial mucocutaneous disease to invasive illness. Objective:- To isolate and identify candida species from various clinical samples and determined their antifungal susceptibility Materials and Methods: - A cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Microbiology at Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad from March 2024- June 2024. 383 various clinical samples including pus, urine, fluid, blood and high vaginal swab were collected from patients suspected of candidiasis as per inclusion criteria patients above 5 years age both IPD and OPD patients included and patients below 5 years age were excluded from the study, All particulars of the patients, major complaints and past history including immune status of patients filled in predesigned proforma. All samples were processed in microbiology laboratory for following tests KOH Mount, Direct Gram stain, Culture on SDA, Chrome Agar for species identification, germ tube test, Sugar fermentation test, sugar assimilation test for species identification and antifungal susceptibility test. Results:- Out of 383 patients 54% were male and 46% were females. 41.8% maximum cases were from age group 41-60 years and 11.7% minimum numbers of cases from above 60 years of age. Out of 383 samples, 41.8% urine samples, 33.4% pus samples, 12.5% blood samples, 12.3% high vaginal swab 2.6% sterile fluid samples. Candida species were isolated from 80 (20.8%) samples. Out of 80 Candida species, 25% C. albicans and 75% nonalbicans species. 47.5% C. tropicalis, 18.7% C. parapsilosis and 8.7% were C. glabrata. Isolates were 100% sensitive to Amphotericin B and Voriconazole. C. albicans were 90% sensitive to Fluconazole antifungal drug. Conclusion:- Correct identification along with correct antifungal drug treatment as per isolated species needed to solve the problem of antifungal drug resistance and to take part in antifungal stewardship.