# Candidemia in Southern Poland (2017–2022): Multicenter Analysis of Species Distribution and Antifungal Susceptibility

## TL;DR

This study analyzed 570 Candida strains from blood infections in southern Poland between 2017 and 2022, focusing on species distribution and antifungal resistance.

## Contribution

The study provides updated data on Candida species prevalence and antifungal resistance in southern Poland over a six-year period.

## Key findings

- C. albicans was the most common species, accounting for 42.6% of all strains.
- Fluconazole resistance was highest in N. glabratus (34.7%) and lowest in C. albicans (4.9%).
- No C. auris strains were detected in the study period.

## Abstract

Candida fungi are among the most common human fungal pathogens and invasive candidiasis is one of the predominant invasive mycoses that mainly affects hospitalized patients with suppression of the immunological system and breaches in skin or mucosal barriers. Rapid diagnosis and implementation of appropriate antifungal treatment are key to achieving recovery. In recent years, attention has been drawn to the increasing significance of Candida species other than C. albicans, in particular C. auris and fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis. The aim of this work was to present the species spectrum and drug susceptibility of 570 Candida strains isolated from candidemia cases diagnosed in patients hospitalized in southern Poland in the period 2017–2022. The results of Candida-positive blood cultures obtained from five hospitals were analyzed. C. albicans was the most common species, accounting for 42.6% of all strains, followed by Nakaseomyces glabratus (formerly C. glabrata) and C. parapsilosis complex—22.1% and 18.8%, respectively. No C. auris was found. Fluconazole resistance was found in 4.9% of C. albicans strains, 34.7% of N. glabratus strains, and 8.7% of C. parapsilosis complex strains.