Characterization and Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern of Candida Isolated From Blood Stream Infections among Patients Admitted In NICU and PICU of A Tertiary Care Centre

Characterization of Candida species is of importance because non albicans Candida infections are significantly increasing. Also resistance to Azole group of drugs is not uncommon. This study was aimed to characterize Candida isolated from blood stream infections in NICU and PICU and their sensitivity to Fluconazole. A total of 312 samples of blood cultures were incubated at 37 o C and sub cultured on blood agar, MacConkey agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar. Susceptibility of Candida to Fluconazole was performed by disk diffusion method as per CLSI. Out of 312 patient samples, Candida was isolated in 44 (14.1%), of which 9 were Candida albicans, 14 Candida tropicalis, 7 C. parapsilosis, 5 C. glabrata, 5 C. krusei , and 4 were C. gulermondii. Out of 42 isolates tested, 7 were resistant to Fluconazole. Timely and accurate diagnosis and susceptibility testing is urgently required to minimize the mortality, morbidity and prolong hospital stay due to blood stream infections by Candida.