Unusual non-albicans candida yeast in South India: Incidence in cancer patients and antifungal susceptibility towards first-line drugs

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Original Article

Author Details : Umamaheswari K*, Gnanasekar Ranganathan, Arun Kumar Chellappa

Volume : 8, Issue : 4, Year : 2022

Article Page : 331-335

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijmmtd.2022.064

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Abstract

Background: Unusual Ascomycetes yeasts are frequently reported in obstinate infections among the cancer population. Emergence of resistance among the non-albicans yeasts towards promising first-line azoles queries over treatment options. The present study probes on the recent trends in incidence of and emerging non- albicans yeasts in cancer patients and to determine the species-wise antifungal susceptibility towards first-line Triazoles and Echinocandin.
Materials and Methods: A total of 53 isolates recovered from the clinical specimens collected from 87 cancer patients were presumptively identified on CHROMagar and speciated by sequencing internal transcribed spacer (ITS) target. The species-wise antifungal susceptibility were determined for the first-line triazoles (Fluconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole) and Echinocandin (Anidulafungin) following CLSI guidelines.
Results: The proportion of Candida isolates were predominantly non-albicans Candida (NAC) species (85%) and (15%). All isolates were speciated using ITS sequencing and the spectrum of NAC species isolated were dominated with (17) followed by (9), (5), C. tropicalis (4), (3), (3), (2) and one isolate of each and The unusual NAC species showed varied resistance profile towards first-line azoles and were susceptible to Anidulafungin.
Conclusion: The changing spectrum, high prevalence and pattern of low level azoles susceptibility among unusual NAC species recovered from the cancer population are alarming.
 

Keywords: Candida metapsilosis, Wickerhamiella pararugosa, Yarrowia lipolytica. Susceptibility testing, Anidulafungin

How to cite : Umamaheswari K, Ranganathan G, Chellappa A K, Unusual non-albicans candida yeast in South India: Incidence in cancer patients and antifungal susceptibility towards first-line drugs. IP Int J Med Microbiol Trop Dis 2022;8(4):331-335

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