Publication:

Decoding Candida-speed and accuracy in species identification: a study from a tertiary care hospital in Western Vidarbha

Background Candida infections encompass a clinical spectrum ranging from superficial mucocutaneous lesions to life-threatening disseminated candidemia in immunocompromised hosts. Over the years, clinical distribution of Candida species has significantly evolved, shifting from the traditional dominance of Candida albicans to an increasing isolation rate of diverse non-albicans Candida (NAC) species. This study was conducted to isolate Candida spp. from various clinical specimens, to speciate and study the distribution of Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida spp. among various clinical specimens.

Method A total of 464 samples were included in the study form January 2024 to June 2025. Samples included urine, blood, sputum, high vaginal swab, pus etc. Demographic details of patients were recorded. KOH, gram staining, germ tube techniques were done preliminarily. Culture on Sabourauds dextrose agar, morphology identification by Dalmau plate method and CHROM agar identification was done.

Results Out of 464 Candida spp. isolated, highest infection (40.5%) seen in the 41-60 years age group, with female preponderance. The highest number of Candida isolates were obtained from urine samples 37.7% (n=175), followed by 28.2% (n=131) from sputum. non-albicans Candida spp. was 244 (53%) as compared to Candida albicans 220 (47%). C. troplicais predominated from all clinical samples and was commonest NAC spp. from urinary and respiratory tract.

Conclusion The rise of non-albicans Candida species underscores a global shift toward higher drug resistance. Precise speciation is essential to identify these distinct resistance profiles, allowing clinicians to start appropriate empirical and target therapy.