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Distribution of clinical Candida species and their susceptibility to antifungal agents

Background: The incidence of fungal infections, especially by Candida species, has increased in recent years. This study was designed to isolate and identify Candida species from various clinical samples, and to examine their susceptibility to antifungal agents. Methods: A total of 175 Candida species were isolated from different clinical samples, and were identified using germ tube test, Cornmeal agar, and API C 20 AUX and VITEK 2 Compact Systems. Antifungal susceptibility of these isolates was determined using ATB Fungus 3 strip and VITEK 2 antifungal susceptibility cards. The results of these two methods were comparatively assessed. Results: A total of 175 Candida strains were isolated from 114 (65.1%) urine, 42 (24%) blood, eight (4.6%) sputum, seven (4%) endotracheal, and four (2.3%) wound samples. Of isolated Candida species, 102 (58.2%) were Candida albicans, 31 (17.6%) Candida tropicalis, 17 (9.6%) Candida parapsilosis, 13 (7.4%) Candida glabrata, three (1.8%) Candida kefyr, three (1.8%) Candida krusei, two (1.2%) Candida lusitaniae, and one (0.6%) Candida famata. By VITEK 2 antifungal susceptibility cards, the overall resistance rates were 0.6% to each of amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine, and 1.8% to fluconazole. In ATB Fungus 3 strip, the resistance (1.8%) was observed only to fulconazole. All isolates were uniformly susceptible to voriconazole in both methods. Conclusion: Valuable information and data on distribution and susceptibility of Candida strains were obtained. These data may be valuable from epidemiological point of view as well as for proper and optimal therapy of Candida infections in our region (Şanliurfa, Turkey).