Identification and speciation of candida isolated from various clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital

Infections due to Candida species have increased substantially over a few decades due to increased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immune-suppressants and indwelling devices which attribute to high rates of invasive candidiasis. Candida albicans accounts for the majority of superficial and systemic infections. Both,Candida albicans and non-albicans is associated with high morbidity and mortality because of the increasing antifungal resistance. Hence, it is important to correctly identify and speciate them. The present study was therefore conducted to identify various species ofCandidaisolated from various clinical specimens.
The study was conducted over a period of one year from November 2020 to November 2021. The various species of Candida isolated, were identified by using conventional tests (germ tube and chlamydospore test, sugar fermentation and assimilation tests and commercially available CHROM agar)and automated methods (Vitek 2 Compact system).
A total of 79 strains of Candida were isolated during the study period. Candida tropicaliswas the most frequently isolated species, 41(51.8%), followed by Candida albicans,16(20.2%), Candida krusei,11 (13.9%),Candida glabrata,8(10.12%) andCandida dubliniensis,3(3.7%). Early identification and reporting of infections due to Candida can help the clinicians in better patient management. Now a days, a wide range of molecular techniques have been used including non-DNA-based methods and DNA-based methods because they generate unambiguous and highly reproducible typing data. CHROM agar is a conventional and rapid method of identification of Candida species even in poor resource settings, hence its use may help in making an early diagnosis.