Etiology of invasive candidosis agents in Russia: a multicenter epidemiological survey

A multicenter prospective epidemiological survey on the etiologic agents of invasive candidosis was conducted in Russia in the period of 2012-2014. Samples were collected from 284 patients with invasive candidosis and Candida species isolated by culture. The species were identified by DNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF massspectrometry. A total of 322 isolates were recovered, in which 96% of Сandida species belonged to six major species, namely, C. albicans (43.2%), C. parapsilosis (20.2%), C. glabrata (11.5%), C. tropicalis (9.6%), C. krusei (6.2%), and C. guilliermondii (5.3%). Most Candida species were isolated from blood samples (83.23%). Notably, the prevalence rate of C. albicans reduced from 52.38% to 32.79% (2012 vs. 2014) (P = 0.01) whereas that of non-C. albicans increased from 47.62% (2012) to 67.21% (2014) (P < 0.01). Species distribution differed among geographical regions; specifically, the prevalence rate of C. albicans as an etiologic agent of invasive candidosis in Siberian Federal region was significantly higher than that in other Federal regions. Results indicated a shift from C. albicans to non-C. albicans. Therefore, a detailed investigation on the contributing factors and appropriate treatment of invasive candidosis is needed.