Evaluation of Candidemia in Mashhad, Iran

Background and Aim : Candida species are the most prevalent cause of invasive fungal infections such as candidemia. There are at least ۱۵ distinct Candida species that cause human disease, but mostly invasive disease is caused by C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei. Each of these organisms has unique virulence potential, antifungal susceptibility, and epidemiology, but taken as a whole, significant infections due to these organisms are generally referred to as invasive candidiasis. Candidemia is a significant public health problem among patients with certain condition, such as mucosal membrane disruption, immunodeficiency, malignancies, renal failure, uncontrolled diabetes, post-surgical procedures, low birth weight or prematurity, and long-term antibiotic use. In this study, we identify Candida spp. obtained from candidemia by Multiplex PCR methods to assessed species distribution and clinical features of patients with candidemia, to understanding the epidemiology of this infection in Mashhad, Iran.Methods : From ۲۰۱۶ to ۲۰۱۸, ۱۷۵ Candida isolates from blood cultures were collected from patients in Emam Reza, Ghaem and Doctor Shikh hospitals in Mashhad, Iran. All yeast isolates were identified using a Multi-plex PCR & sequencing.Results : One hundred and seventy-five episodes of yeast were diagnosed in patients with ages ranging from ۵ days to ۸۹ years old, with ۵۹.۵% of the patients (n=۱۰۴) being ≥۱۶ years of age. Candida parapsilosis (n = ۶۴; ۳۶.۵%) was the most prevalent yeast species identified, followed by C. albicans (n = ۵۰; ۲۸.۵%), C. glabrata (n = ۳۴; ۱۹.۵%), C. tropicalis (n = ۲۰; ۱۱.۵%) and C. krusei (n = ۷; ۴%).Conclusion : C. parapsilosis was the main cause of yeast-derived fungemia in north-West of Iran and mortality rate was ۴۲.۸%. Because of the affordability of PCR devices, the YEAST PANEL multiplex PCR assay has the potential to be integrated in large-scale epidemiological studies. On the other hand, routine laboratories in developing countries can take the advantage of supplementation of biochemical assays with YEAST PANEL multiplex PCR assay.

کلیدواژه ها:

Candidemia ، Candida ، Mashhad ، Iran