Increasing Candida antifungal resistance in Eastern India (2019-2023): A notable rise in amphotericin B resistance.

Abstract

Background and purpose: This study analyzed the species diversity and antifungal drug sensitivity of Candida isolates reported from 2019 to 2023 at our hospital to guide empirical treatment protocols.

Materials and methods: Clinical samples were cultured by standard microbiological techniques; subsequently, yeast isolates deemed clinically significant were identified and tested for antifungal drug sensitivity using the Vitek 2 Compact system (BioMerieux, France). Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS software and P-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: Diversity of species as well as the antifungal drug resistance of Candida isolates increased markedly over the period of 5 years. Moreover, a high percentage of isolates resistant to Amphotericin B and Voriconazole was noted.

Conclusion: These findings emphasized the need for caution in the empirical use of antifungal medications. Similar surveillance at regional levels is necessary and antifungal drug sensitivity should be included in hospital antibiograms to prevent the spread of multi-drug-resistant nosocomial strains.