Candida Species and Antifungal Susceptibility Isolated in Intensive Care Units: A Three-year Study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Candida causes serious infections in intensive care patients resulting in high mortality. In this retrospective study, clinical data of intensive care patients with Candida strains isolated from various clinical specimens were examined; To describe the isolated Candida strains and antifungal susceptibility patterns METHODS: In January 2017 - January 2020; Gram staining and germ tube test were applied to Candida strains isolated from clinical specimens. VITEK 2 automated system was used to identify Candida species and to flucytosine and micafungin, susceptibility were to be found fluconazole 88%, voriconazole 96%, amphotericin B and caspofungin 97%, respectively. determine their antifungal sensitivity. RESULTS: The most common indications for hospitalization were determined as respiratory failure (66%) and postoperative follow-up (14%). The most common risk factors were determined as urinary catheter (94%) and mechanical ventilation (84%). Mortality rate was found to be 60%. While Candida species were most frequently isolated from urine (59%) and tracheal (22%) samples, the most frequently isolated species were Candida albicans (83%) and Candida parapsilosis (4%). While all isolates were susceptible DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Candida species differ by region. Epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility vary for different candida species. For this reason, it is important to determine the epidemiological factors in Candida infections, especially in intensive care patients, to determine the species level, and to determine the antifungal sensitivity of the causative species in order to decide on the appropriate treatment.

Keywords

• antifungal susceptibility
• candida species
• risk factors
• intensive care unit