Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: In recent years, systemic fungal infections caused by Candida species are one of the important causes of mortality due to increased immunosuppressive diseases. The prevalence of these fungal infections hasled to greater use of antifungal drugs and significant increase in intrinsic or acquired resistance of Candida species to antifungal agents. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the prevalence and frequency of candidiasis in vaginal samples of women referred to health centers in Qom province and evaluating the target drug resistance pattern.

Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study performed on 150 suspected candidiasis patients. The specimens were examined by direct method and were cultured on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar (containing chloramphenicol), corn meal agar (containing Tween 80), and CHROM agar candida; germ tube test and sugar assimilation test (API20C kit) were performed to isolate and differentiate the Candida species. Then, the effect of different antifungal drugs was tested using disk diffusion method.

Results: Out of 150 specimens, 83 cases (55.3%) of Candida species were identified. Statistical analysis of isolated samples showed that Candida albicans (62.6%), Candida krusei (33.7%), and Candida tropical (3.6%) had the highest frequency. Resistance pattern of these species were different to various antifungal drugs.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that Candida albicans is the most frequent among species isolated from patients, and all the isolated Candida species are 100% susceptible to fluconazole and amphotericin B.