EMERGING TREND OF NON-ALBICANS CANDIDA SPECIES: CLINICO- MICROBIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ANTIFUNGAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN AMONG CLINICAL ISOLATES FROM A TERT6IARY CARE HOSPITAL OF RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Abstract

Background: Clinical Candida infections continue to pose a significant healthcare burden
worldwide, especially among hospitalized patients and individuals with compromised immunity.
In recent years, a notable shift in the epidemiology of candidiasis has been observed,
characterized by an increasing prevalence of non-albicans Candida species and the emergence of
antifungal resistance, which have created additional challenges in patient management.[21, 24]
Aim: To evaluate the emerging trend of non-albicans Candida species, their
Clinicomicrobiological profile, and antifungal susceptibility pattern among Candida isolates
recovered from various clinical specimens in a tertiary care hospital.
Methodology: A cross - sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology,
Ananta Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Rajasthan, India. A total of 180
Candida isolates recovered from different clinical specimens were included in the study.
Identification of Candida species was performed using standard mycological methods including
Gram staining, KOH mount, culture on Sabouraud Dextrose agar (SDA), germ tube test, sugar
assimilation test and sugar fermentation tests and CHROMagar Candida medium. Antifungal
susceptibility testing was carried out by disk diffusion method according to Clinical and
Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.[20]
Results: Out of 6317 clinical specimens received for culture and sensitivity testing during the
study period, 180 Candida isolates were recovered, with an overall prevalence of 2.84%. Non -
albicans Candida species 118 (65.56%) were isolated more frequently than Candida albicans 62
(34.44%). Candida tropicalis was the predominant non-albicans species followed by Candida
krusei, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida glabrata. Most isolates demonstrated good
susceptibility to Amphotericin B, whereas reduced susceptibility to azole antifungal agents was
observed among some non-albicans Candida isolates.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated an increasing predominance of non-albicans Candida
species with variable antifungal susceptibility patterns. Routine species identification and
antifungal susceptibility testing are essential for effective management of candidiasis and
surveillance of emerging antifungal resistance.