Investigation of Species Distribution and Antifungal Susceptibility of Candida Species Isolated from Various Clinical Samples From Intensive Care Unit Patients

Objective: Infections caused by Candida species are becoming important causes of morbidity and mortality in intensive care patients. The aim of this study was to determine species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of 121 Candida species isolated from various clinical samples of intensive care unit patients in our center. Material and Methods: Species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of the isolates were determinated with VITEK 2 Compact System (BioMerieux, France). Results: The 121 Candida strains were identified as follows: 60 C. albicans (49.6%), 21 C. tropicalis (17.3%), 17 C. parapsilosis (14%), 15 C. glabrata (12.4%), 3 C. keyfr (2.5%), 2 C. krusei (1.7%), 1 C. lusitaniae, 1 C. famata and 1 C. lipolytica. All of the Candida strains were found to be susceptible to flucytosine, fluconazole, voriconazole and caspofungin except C. krusei strains which are intrinsically resistant to fluconazole. Intermediate susceptibility to amphotericin B was determinated in four (3.4%) Candida strains and four (3.4%) strains were found to be resistant to amphotericin B. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the isolates with intermediate susceptibility and resistance to amphotericin B were 2 mu g/mL and 8 mu g/mL respectively. Conclusion: Identification and susceptibility tests for Candida species should be performed for the proper management and treatment of patients with Candida infections.