Candida tropicalis:An emerging pathogen in Septicaemia

Candidemia refers to presence of Candida species in Blood. Candidiasis is a primary or secondary fungal infection involving a member of genus Candida. The increasing use of prophylactic antifungal agents to prevent Candida infections has led to emergence of resistant species. They are endogenous opportunists which cause secondary infection in individuals with underlying immunocompromised conditions. Fungal sepsis is common infection among neonates in NICU, especially preterm and very low birth weight babies. Candidiasis is one of the most common infectious diseases which complicates the control of diabetes. The most common opportunistic fungal infection in HIV positive patients is candidiasis, affecting the mucocutaneous system mainly but the invasive form is also common. The synergistic growth promoting association of Candida along Mycobacterium tuberculosis has raised increased concern for studying the various Candida species and its significance. The aim of this study was to identify the Candida species isolated from bloodstream infections and study the antifungal susceptibility pattern to initiate antifungal treatment promptly. Blood samples were collected in Brain heart infusion broth and incubated at 37ᵒC for 24hours. Next day it was cultured on Blood agar and MacConkey agar for bacteria and Sabouraud dextrose agar for Candida species. The suspected Candida isolates were identified by standard mycological techniques like Gram staining, Germ tube test, Dalmau Plate culture CandidaHiChromagar and Sugar assimilation test. They were also subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing. Out of 50 clinically suspected cases of septicaemia, 15 (30%) showed the growth of Candida species. Of these, 10(66.66%) were identified as Candida tropicalisand five (33.33%) Candida albicans. There is progressive epidemiological shift in Candida species from C.albicans to non albicans Candida species. Non-albicans Candida are gaining importance as cause of neonatal septicaemia. Early diagnosis of invasive candidiasis is critical in order to initiate antifungal agents promptly.