Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Candida species isolated from Bronchoalveolar Lavage samples

The frequency of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly by Candida species, has increased in recent years. Colonization by Candida species in respiratory tract in susceptible hosts may play an important role to precede disseminated candidiasis. This study was designed to identify Candida species from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples and determination of antifungal susceptibility of isolates to Ketoconazole, Clotrimazole, Fluconazole and Nystatin by disk diffusion method. Sampling was conducted between from 2011 to 2014 years. Three hundred and eighty four patients who were suspected to invasive fungal infections were enrolled in the study. Clinical specimens were studied for direct microscopic examination and culture. The antifungal activity test for Candida species isolated from BAL samples was performed by using disk diffusion, according to CLSI documents M44-A2. Eighty seven (%22.66) patients showed the symptoms, signs and predisposing factors for pulmonary fungal infections. The isolated species were identified as follows: C.albicans, 31 (67.39%); C.glabrata, 9 (19.56 %); C.krusei, 3 (6.5%); C.parapsilosis, 2 (4.3%); and C.tropicalis, 1 2.25%). In this study, resistance to antifungal agents were seen to Ketoconazole, 2 4.38%), Clotrimazole 1 (2.17%) and Fluconazole, 4 (8.69%). Determination of antifungal sensitivity of the isolated yeast species should be the basis of rational and successful therapy.