Isolation and Identification of Candida Species from a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Introduction
Fungal infections by opportunistic pathogens such as Candida, and the resulting mortality in immune compromised patients are showing a steady uprise in the world. Candida is a yeast-like fungi, which is the most common cause of fungal infections. They are normal inhabitants (commensal) or endosymbiont commonly present on the skin and mucous membranes, in particular, the gastrointestinal tract. It turns pathogenic when the normal mucosal membrane is ruptured or the immune system is compromised, leading to an array of opportunistic infections. Candidiasis is an endogenous opportunistic infection of the skin, mucosa and rarely of the internal organs. Usually these infections are limited to the mouth, skin or genital area.
Aim
To isolate and identify Candida species from various clinical specimens from a tertiary care centre.
Materials And Method
This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, for six months from July 2018 until December 2018. The specimens of this study were collected from inpatients and outpatients of various departments of our hospital. A total of 10,750 samples of various specimens were collected, out of which, 4,690 showed various microbial growth patterns, of which 96 Candida strains were isolated. Speciation was done according to the standard protocol.
Result
In our study, the prevalence rate of Candidiasis is 2%. Candida non albicans species were isolated at higher rates (75%) than that of albicans. The age distribution of the isolated Candida spp., showed that the isolation rate was significantly higher in patients in their 60’s. Men were mostly affected in their 60’s, while their female counterparts were affected in the 40’s. 14.2% of the specimens collected were from the ICU patients. 9.4% of the patients were diabetic and presented with its complications.
Conclusion
Candida albicans is the most commonly isolated species of the genus Candida. Candidiasis is an endogenous opportunistic infection of the skin, mucosa and rarely of the internal organs. Usually these infections are limited to the mouth, skin or genital area. However, in people with weakened immune system are not only susceptible to tropical infections, but are also most likely to end up experiencing a more severe internal infection.