Distribution of c and ida species among bloodstream isolates

ABSTRACT

To identify the distribution of C and ida species causing bloodstream infections. This study was conducted at the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. All cases of c and idemia from the period 1996 through to 2002 were retrospectively identified through the records from the Department of Clinical Microbiology. Two hundred and ninety-four c and idemic episodes were identified, 176 [59.9%] occurred in the intensive care units [ICUs], 32 [10.9%] medical, 30 [10.2%] surgical wards, 24 [8%] from patients with hematologic malignancies and 15 [5%] from pediatric wards. C and ida albicans [C. albicans] was the most frequently isolated species with 149 [50.7%] cases, followed by C and ida tropicalis [C. tropicalis] 61 [20.7%], C and ida parapsilosis 32 [10.9%], C and ida krusei [C. krusei] 23 [7.8%] and C and ida glabrata 21 [7.1%]. Other species were not common. There is an increase in the proportion of non C. albicans species as the causative agents of c and idemia. In certain clinical settings, non C. albicans species predominate as in the Adult General Intensive Care Unit with C. tropicalis as the most common. While in patients with hematologic malignancies, C. krusei species is the most common. These findings reinforce the need for continued and active surveillance programs to address the changes in the species distribution among c and idal bloodstream isolates which will help to develop effective, preventive and therapeutic strategies