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Virulence and susceptibility patterns of clinical Candida spp. isolates from a tertiary hospital, Tanzania

Martha F Mushi1, Oliver Bader2, Christine Bii3

  • 1Department of Microbiology and immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, Catholic University of Heath and Allied Sciences Mwanza, Tanzania.

Medical Mycology
|November 1, 2018
PubMed

Insights

This study on Candida species in Tanzania found most isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, but variations in antifungal resistance and virulence factors like phospholipase and protease highlight the need for routine susceptibility testing in developing countries.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Limited data exists on antifungal susceptibility and virulence of Candida species in developing nations, particularly with co-infections like HIV.
  • Understanding these patterns is crucial for managing candidiasis, a significant opportunistic infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antifungal susceptibility patterns and virulence potential of Candida species isolated from various candidiasis cases.
  • To characterize Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata strains from a tertiary hospital in Tanzania.

Main Methods:

  • Collected clinical samples from patients with candidiasis between March and December 2017.
  • Identified Candida species and determined antifungal susceptibility using EUCAST guidelines.
  • Assessed virulence factors including phospholipase, protease, hemolysin, and coagulase activity.

Main Results:

  • 399 Candida isolates were identified: 278 Candida albicans, 51 Candida tropicalis, and 47 Candida glabrata.
  • Phospholipase and protease were common virulence factors, particularly in Candida albicans from blood and esophageal samples.
  • Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis showed 100% sensitivity to caspofungin; resistance to fluconazole was low (3.1% for C. albicans).

Conclusions:

  • The majority of Candida isolates in this Tanzanian cohort were susceptible to fluconazole.
  • Distinct phenotypes exist among Candida species based on susceptibility and virulence, warranting further molecular investigation.
  • Routine antifungal susceptibility testing is recommended to guide effective clinical management in resource-limited settings.
Keywords:
Antifungal susceptibiltiyCandida sppVirulence

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