Candida spp. other than Candida albicans: a major cause of fungaemia in a tertiary care centre.

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the frequency of different Candida spp. isolated from different parts of the hospital, associated risk factors and mortality rate. A total of 59 cases were selected for prospective analysis over a period of one and half years. Blood samples collected were processed by BACTEC (9240) method. Candidaemia was diagnosed by positive blood culture at least from two blood culture samples or from a clinically significant single blood culture sample. Candida spp. were identified by standard techniques. Most frequent isolates were C. tropicalis (35.6%), C. parapsilosis (28.8%), C. glabrata (11.9%) and C. pelliculosa (11.9%). Candida albicans was isolated only in 3.4% cases. Neonatology department accounted for highest number of isolates (27.1%), followed by gastrointestinal surgery (15.3%) and cardiac surgery (13.6%). Mortality was noted in 16.9%. Probable risk factors determined were intensive care unit stay (74.6%), antibiotic therapy (50.8%), central line (42.4%), urinary catheter (32.2%), ventilator (23.7%), malignancy (20.3%) and abdominal surgery (15.3%).