# Prevalence and antifungal susceptibility profiles of Candida isolates among patients with candiduria: a multiplex PCR assay

## TL;DR

This study examines the prevalence and antifungal resistance of Candida species in patients with candiduria, finding higher resistance in non-albicans species.

## Contribution

The study introduces a 21-plex PCR assay for species identification and provides insights into antifungal resistance patterns in candiduria patients.

## Key findings

- Candida albicans was the most common species (70%) among isolates.
- Non-albicans Candida species showed a higher fluconazole resistance rate (29.41%) compared to C. albicans (2.86%).

## Abstract

Incidence of candiduria attributed to Candida species has been increasing, with a notable rise in cases involving antifungal-resistant non-albicans Candida (NAC) species.
This investigation aimed to assess both the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida isolates obtained from patients diagnosed with candiduria.

In total, 100 urine specimens were collected from patients diagnosed with candiduria and subjected to analysis. Subsequent to the preliminary identification, a 21-plex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was employed for species characterization. Antifungal susceptibility testing was conducted using the broth microdilution technique, which aimed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of fluconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin.

Among the 100 analyzed patients, Candida albicans was the predominant species, accounting for 70% of isolates, followed by C. tropicalis (11%), C. glabrata (9%),
and C. parapsilosis (5%). Resistance to fluconazole was observed in 2.86% of C. albicans isolates, whereas 29.41% of the NAC species exhibited resistance to this antifungal agent.

The fluconazole resistance rate was notably higher among NAC species, compared to that of C. albicans. To deepen current understanding, it is recommended that future molecular investigations employ advanced and diverse methodologies, along with larger and more representative patient cohorts.