Publication

Abstract : Background Candida parapsilosis is recognized as a species complex: Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto, Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis are three distinct but closely related species. Aims To determine the species and antifungal susceptibility of members of the C. parapsilosis complex, isolated from clinical samples. Methods Isolates identified as C. parapsilosis complex by VITEK® 2 system were included. Antifungal susceptibility test was done using the VITEK® 2 semi-automated system. The distribution of the species in the complex was determined by multiplex PCR. Results Among the seventy-seven C. parapsilosis complex isolates, C. parapsilosis sensu stricto (57.1%) was the commonest species, followed by C. orthopsilosis (40.2%) and C. metapsilosis (2.5%). All three species were susceptible to amphotericin B, caspofungin and micafungin. Among C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates, 16% were resistant to fluconazole while 2.2% showed dose dependent susceptibility. Also, 18.2% of C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates showed dose dependent susceptibility to voriconazole.