IDENTIFICATION AND ANTIFUNGAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF COSTA RICAN CLINICAL ISOLATES OF CANDIDA HAEMULONII SPECIES COMPLEX

https://doi.org/10.56274/rcs.2024.3.1.34

Abstract

Background: The Candida haemulonii species complex is a group of emergent yeasts involved in candidemia, peritonitis, bone and soft tissue infections, otitis, and onychomycosis. It is worth noting that they present a decreased susceptibility to the different antifungal drugs available. Therefore, the present study aims to identify and determine the antifungal susceptibility patterns of Costa Rican clinical isolates from this complex. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed to identify 48 clinical isolates of the C. haemulonii species complex, to the species level, by using VITEK®2 system and MALDI Biotyper®. The isolates analysed belonged to the Fungal Collection of the University of Costa Rica. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M27-A3 reference microdilution method was used to evaluate Caspofungin, Fluconazole and Itraconazole, and the MIC Test Strip® was used for Amphotericin B. The VITEK^®2 system was also used to evaluate Amphotericin B, Caspofungin and Fluconazole. Results: The isolates were identified as C. duobushaemulonii (58,3 %; n = 28) and C. haemulonii (41,7 %; n = 20). Caspofungin and Itraconazole showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations, followed by Fluconazole. On the other hand, Amphotericin B exhibited significant higher MIC values. Conclusion: C. duobushaemulonii was the most prevalent species identified. Caspofungin was the treatment that presented the highest antifungal activity, while amphotericin B showed the lowest activity.