ISOLATION AND SPECIATION OF CANDIDA SPECIES FROM VARIOUS CLINICAL SPECIMENS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF NAVI MUMBAI

Background: Candida is one of the most frequently encountered opportunistic fungi that cause severe infection in humans. Incidence of candidiasis is increasing worldwide. Species identification of candida is important as non-albicans candidas is increasing in number and are more resistant to antifungal drugs. Aim & Objectives: The aim and objective of the study was to find out the frequency of Candida from various clinical specimens (sputum, urine, stool, pus, high vaginal swab, throat swab, nail clippings, skin scraping, ET tube) and their speciation. Material & Method: A total 100 Candida species were isolated from various clinical specimens were included in this study. Speciation of candida was done by germ tube, carbohydrate fermentation & assimilation test, colony colour on Hichrom Candida agar and microscopic morphology on corn meal agar. Results: Out of total 1150 clinical samples, 100 candida species were isolated, thus the incidence of 8.7%. Non-albicans candida predominated (56%) over Candida albicans (44%). In both the sexes maximum patients belongs to age group >70 years and females were affected more than males. Conclusion: Hichrom Candida agar is useful for primary isolation & differentiation of candida species. Incidence of candidiasis is 8.7% of which incidence of non-albicans candida was more than candida albicans. Females were affected more than male.