Molecular diagnosis and antifungal resistance and biofilm production profiles among Candida species isolated from immunocompromised patients at Menoufia University Hospitals

Ghonaim, Mabrouk M.; Labeeb, Azza Z.; Eliwa, Alyaa I.; Salem, Eman H.

doi:https://doi.org/10.51429/EJMM29305

Molecular diagnosis and antifungal resistance and biofilm production profiles among Candida species isolated from immunocompromised patients at Menoufia University Hospitals

Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Authors

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt

https://doi.org/10.51429/EJMM29305

Abstract

Background: Accurate and rapid identification of Candida species is necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment of candidiasis due to emergences of drug-resistant strains especially among immunocompromised patients. Objectives: Identification of Candida clinical isolates to the species level using different phenotypic and molecular methods. Biofilm-forming ability and antifungal resistance were also studied. Methodology: Sixty-nine Candida strains were isolated from 220 immunocompromised patients. Identification was performed using chromogenic Candida agar, VITEK 2 system and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Biofilm formation was detected by the tube method and antifungal susceptibility was tested using the VITEK2 system. Results: The most common source of Candida isolates was from urine (33.3%) and ICUs (56.6%). VITEK 2 system detected 9 spp.: C. albicans (34.8%), C. tropicalis (21.7%), C. famata (8.7%), C. lusitaniae (7.2%), C. cruzi (7.2%), C. ciferri (5.8%), C. dubliniensis (5.8%), C. parapsilosis (5.8 %) and C. glabrata. Candida isolates showed high resistance to flucytocine (49.3%), and high sensitivity to fluconazole, micafungin, voriconazole and caspofungin (88.4%, 81.2% and 81.2 % respectively). Only 30.4% of all Candida isolates were biofilm producers. There was a positive relationship between antifungal resistance and biofilm formation among Candida isolates. Conclusion: C. albicans was the predominant species. Chromogenic Candida agar and VITEK 2 system were valuable tests compared to PCR in speciation of Candida isolates. Antifungal susceptibility was significantly related to biofilm production and its evaluation is important for proper treatment.

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