Evaluation Of Virulence Factors and Antifungal Susceptibility in Candida Strains ？solated From Blood Cultures

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate various virulence factors in Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida strains isolated from blood cultures and to determine the antifungal susceptibilities of these strains. Material and Methods: In this study, 34 Candida strains isolated from blood cultures were evaluated for phospholipase, esterase, hemolytic activity, slime production, and antifungal susceptibility. A total of 39 Candida strains isolated from oral flora of healthy individuals were included in the study as a control group. Results: The distribution of detected overall 34 candida species was as follows: Candida albicans (n=15), Candida parapsilosis (n=9), Candida glabrata (n=3), Candida tropicalis (n=2), and Candida famata (n=2), Candida sake (n=1), Candida krusei (n=1) and Candida kefyr (n=1). Phospholipase, esterase, β hemolytic activity and slime production was detected 93.3%, 73.3%, 93.3% and 6.6% in C.albicans strains and 73.6%, 21%, 68.4% and 26.3%in non-albicans Candida strains respectively. Phospholipase and β hemolytic activity were significantly higher in the C.albicans and non-albicans Candida strains isolated in the patient group compared to the control group (p <0.05). While all Candidastrains were susceptible to amphotericin B and flucytosine, one C. glabrata strain was resistant to fluconazole, four C. albicans, one C.tropicalis and one C. crusei strain were resistant to fluconazole and itraconazole, one C. famata strain was resistant to fluconazole and intermediately susceptible to itraconazole and one C. glabrata was resistant to itraconazole. Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that the production of phospholipase and β hemolysin in C. albicans and non-albicans Candida strains isolated from the patient group was higher than the controlt group. Determination of virulence factors may help explain the pathogenesis of Candida infections and develop new anticandidal treatments.Identification and anti fungal susceptibility testing are important for management of appropriate therapy.As all strains were susceptible to amphotericin B and flucytosine, it was concluded that it could be used in empirical treatment