Antifungal sensitivity of Candida Sp. isolated from ICU patients at attending at a tertiary care hospital

Objective: In this study, we have found the prevalence of Candida Sp. In admitted patients at medicine Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We have also evaluated the drug sensitivity patterns of identified Candida sp. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the IMS and SUM hospital from January 2017 to February 2018, and comprised the causative organisms of infections. Species differentiation was confirmed by specific culture medium methods. Antifungal susceptibility of isolated Candida species was evaluated with disc diffusion methods. Results: Of the 219 Candida isolates, majority of them were isolated from the swab samples 78(35.6%) and from urine sample 59(26.9%). Moreover, 144(65.8%) samples were of females and 75(34.2%) were of males. Candida albicans 128(58.45%) was the most predominant species followed by Candida glabrata 30(13.69%), Candida tropicalis 26(11.87%), Candida krusei 17(7.76%), Candida parapsilosis 12(5.47%), Candida dubliniensis 3(1.37%) and Candida lusitaniae 3(1.37). All isolates were least susceptible to amphotericin B with a susceptibility rate of 213(97.26%). The highest resistance was found for voriconazole 40(18.26%) compared to fluconazole 32(14.61%). Conclusion: Candida species were resistant to many antifungals and in this study it is revealed that Amphotericin B is the most sensitive antifungal for skin infections.