Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern of Candida Species Isolated from Sputum Samples in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Salem

Candida species are by far, the most common fungal pathogens in humans. Recovery of Candida species from the respiratory tract usually indicates commensalism/colonisation rather than infection. However this study aims at the distribution and antifungal susceptibility pattern of different Candida species isolated form colonised and infected patients with respiratory tract infections. Methods: This prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Salem for 6 months. A total of 200 sputum samples were examined. Species identification and antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. Results: Out of 200 samples, 27 samples were found to have Candida spp of which Candida albicans 11 (41%) was the most common isolate followed by Candida tropicalis (25.90%), Candida parapsilosis (18.50%), Candida glabarata (11.11%) and Candida krusei (3.7%). Candida isolates showed more susceptibility to Amphotericin B (100%) & Voriconazole (100%) followed by Itraconazole (63%) and Fluconazole (62%). They also revealed higher resistance to Ketoconazole (46%). Conclusion: In hospitalised patients, Candida infection is a significant problem and resistance to commonly used antifungal agents are increasing. So the necessity of accurate and rapid identification of Candida species and its antifungal susceptibility pattern lead to better treatment because delay can result in increased mortality and morbidity in the patients.