Molecular Identification and In-Vitro Susceptibility of Candida albicans and C. dubliniensis Isolated from Immunocompromised Patients

Background: Yeasts are increasingly implicated in serious systemic infections. The aim of this study was to identify Candida albicans and C. dubliniensis from isolates of immunocompromised patients and evaluate the in vitro antifungal activities of them against antifungal agents. Methods: One hundred and seventy eight C. albicans were isolated by routine methods from 403 immunocompromised patients. All isolated C. albicans were inoculated on CHROMagar Candida medium. The carbohydrate assimilation patterns of all the isolates were studied, using the API 32C system. To identify C. albicans and C. dubliniensis, PCR was done by specific primers. The susceptibility test for the isolates was performed by a broth microdilution assay, according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute. Results: Of 178 isolates C. albicans, six were C. dubliniensis with PCR assay, and 7% were resistant to amphotericin B, 4.6% to fluconazole, 7% to itraconazole, 1% to nystatin, 2.3% to voriconazole, and 7% to ketoconazole. None of the C. dubliniensis isolates were resistant to the six anti-fungal agents. Conclusion: It would be convenient to carry out antifungal susceptibility studies in order to establish the in-vitro activities of antifungal agents against local isolates and also to detect shifts toward resistance as early as possible.