Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern of Candida Species isolated from a Tertiary Hospital in Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria

Background Candida species is a genus of yeast that can be commensals or pathogenic, causing invasive fungal infections that could lead to morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the identity, prevalence and antifungal susceptibility pattern of Candida species isolated from clinical samples of patients attending a tertiary Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods A total of 286 yeast isolates were recovered from clinical samples of patients sent to the Medical Microbiology Laboratory of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria. Identification of yeast isolates and antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) of the isolates to different antifungal agents were assayed using VITEK-2 Compact System (Biomerieux, France). Results A total of 286 yeast isolates which included 283 Candida isolates identified into six (6) Candida species ( Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei and Candida ciferrii ), and 2 non-candida yeast ( Cryptoccocus laurentii and Trichosporon asahii ) were recovered. The prevalence of Candida species in this study was 21.7%, while that of yeast infection was 21.9%. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species, accounting for 69.6% of isolates while Candida ciferrii was the least isolated (0.3%). Urine specimens yielded the highest yeast isolates (43.4%), followed by Endocervical swab (24.8%, p = 0.0001). Females had higher prevalence of yeast infection (91.6%) than the males (8.4%). Although marked resistance was shown to flucytosine (44.8%) and fluconazole (54.1%), the most active antifungal agents were voriconazole (92.3%) and coaspfungin (92.0%). Conclusion There is a brazen need for regional and national surveillance of yeasts of medical importance. To aid effective diagnosis and treatment, culture and AST though expensive is strongly encouraged in resource-limited settings.