Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Automation of Bio-Atomic Force Microscope Measurements on Hundreds of C. albicans Cells
Published on: April 2, 2021
Caspofungin MIC Distribution amongst Commonly Isolated Candida Species in a Tertiary Care Centre - An Indian
Shashir Wanjare1, Rajarshi Gupta2, Preeti Mehta3
1Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital , Mumbai, Maharashtra, India .
Introduction:
Emergence of Candida species resistant to Amphotericin B and triazole has led to use of echinocandins, mostly caspofungin in the management of invasive candidiasis. There are some published reports of caspofungin resistance in Candida species yet no studies on caspofungin susceptibility pattern of Candida species exist in Indian setup.
Aim:
To carry out the antifungal susceptibility of Candida isolates against caspofungin.
Materials And Methods:
In a retrospective study at a tertiary care teaching hospital, 60 preserved Candida isolates from inpatients of invasive candidiasis obtained over a period of 6 months from January 2015 to June 2015 were subjected to antifungal susceptibility to caspofungin and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of Candida species to caspofungin were determined by Epsilometer test (E-test).
Results:
Thirty Candida albicans and 30 Non albicansCandida mainly Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis were tested for caspofungin susceptibitity by E-test. Caspofungin resistance was detected in 6.67% Candida albicans isolates. Caspofungin resistance was not observed in Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis. This shows that caspofungin resistance is still rare. Further elaborate studies with clinical correlation data are needed to detect prevalence of caspofungin resistance.
Conclusion:
Emergence of resistance in our study warrants need of elaborate studies with clinical correlation data to detect prevalence of resistance to caspofungin. E-test method proved to be an easy and simple technique for testing susceptibility of Candida to caspofungin.
Insights
Caspofungin resistance in Candida species is rare, with 6.67% of Candida albicans isolates showing resistance. Further studies are needed to understand the prevalence of caspofungin resistance in India.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Rising resistance to Amphotericin B and triazoles necessitates the use of echinocandins like caspofungin for invasive candidiasis.
- Limited data exists on caspofungin susceptibility patterns in Indian Candida isolates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the antifungal susceptibility of clinical Candida isolates to caspofungin.
- To establish a baseline for caspofungin resistance in the Indian context.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 60 preserved Candida isolates from invasive candidiasis cases.
- Antifungal susceptibility testing using the Epsilometer (E-test) to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) for caspofungin.
Main Results:
- Caspofungin resistance was detected in 6.67% of Candida albicans isolates.
- No caspofungin resistance was observed in Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata, and Candida tropicalis.
- Caspofungin resistance appears to be rare in the studied isolates.
Conclusions:
- The emergence of caspofungin resistance highlights the need for further extensive studies with clinical correlation.
- The E-test is a simple and effective method for assessing Candida susceptibility to caspofungin.
- Continued surveillance of caspofungin resistance is crucial for effective invasive candidiasis management.

