Abstract

IDENTIFICATION, BIOFILM FORMATION AND ANTIFUNGAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CANDIDA SPECIES ISOLATES FROM CLINICAL SPECIMENS

Tanu Yadav, Dharmendar Kumar, Bharti Singh, Ragini Tilak*

Abstract

Introduction: Candida infection is most common infection. Candida species is dimorphic commensal fungi and most frequently cause infection in the immunocompromised, ICU, NICU and HIV patients and also sometimes in healthy persons. Method: in this investigation Candida species were isolates from different clinical samples such as- Sputum, Blood, Urine, Stool, Nail scraping and oral thrush from patients who were suffering from suspected Candida infection of the hospitalized patients was carried out to determine the Candida species by using gram staining, Chrom agar, germ tube formation, cornmeal agar, biofilm formation and antifungal susceptibility. Results: Total 115 Candida species were isolated during this study, in which C. albicans were 54%, C. tropicalis 25.2%, C. parapsilopsis 8.9%, C. krusei 7.8%, C. glabrata 1.7% and C. famata 1.7% from different clinical samples. Antifungal susceptibility test results in 68.6% sensitivity against fluconazole, 25.2% resistance and 6% intermediates. Voriconazole was 82.6% sensitive, 7.8 intermediates and 10.4% resistance; Amphotericine-B 88% sensitive, 6% intermediates and 5.2% resistance; Intraconazole 77.3% sensitive, 9.5% intermediates and 13.5% resistance. Conclusion: C. albicans and C. tropicalis have high capability to cause infection in the highest amount and therefore are highest biofilm producer. Amphotericine-B is more frequently used drug against the Candida species and it is almost 90% sensitive to over all Candida species.

Keywords: Candida infection, Biofilm, Antifungal agent, Susceptibility.