Isolation and Identification of Candida Species from Various Clinical Samples and their Biofilm Production Status

Abstract

Candida species are the most common fungal species causing mucosal and systemic infections. Candida albicans has been the most common causative agent affecting mostly the immunocompromised. However, an increase in the prevalence of Non Albicans Candida (NAC) species is noted in the recent two decades. In this study Candida species from various clinical samples were isolated and their biofilm production status was evaluated. All the clinical samples were inoculated on to Blood agar and MacConkey agar. The suspected colonies of Candida were further confirmed by Gram stain. Germ tube test was done for the differentiation of C. albicans and C. dublinensis from the other candida species. It was further inoculated onto HiCrome Candida Differential agar for the speciation. The Biofilm production was done using the Congo-red agar. Out of a total 36 candida species that were isolated during the study, 18 (50%) were found to be Candida albicans and remaining 18 were found to be NAC (22.2% were C. tropicalis, 19.4% were C. glabrata, 8.4% were C. krusei). Among the 36 candida species, 12 (33%) were biofilm producers while the remaining 24 (64%) were non-biofilm producers. This study showed that there is an increase in the pathogenicity and prevalence of the NAC species.