Subtyping and antifungal susceptibilities of Candida spp. in the intensive care unit of a Greek general hospital

Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2001 Aug;18(2):179-83. doi: 10.1016/s0924-8579(01)00367-3.

Abstract

This study identified the Candida spp., susceptibility to antifungal agents and the prevailing Candida albicans subtypes responsible for infections or colonization of 42 patients in the ICU over a 6-month period. Most isolates were C. albicans (66.1%) and Candida tropicalis (28.3%) all of which were susceptible in vitro to antifungal agents. Subtypes of the C. albicans isolates were identified by pulsed field gel electrophoresis Sfi I chromosomal digests. Two major C. albicans subtypes were identified, whereas subtype heterogeneity was found among strains of Candida glabrata and C. tropicalis. Sfi I PFGE restriction patterns were able to discriminate between sub-populations of C. albicans isolates, clustering them into distinct, epidemiologically congruous groups.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Candida / classification*
  • Candida / drug effects*
  • Candida / isolation & purification
  • Candidiasis / microbiology*
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Greece
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents