Candida species epidemiology 2000-2013: a laboratory-based report

ObjectiveTo describe a prospective laboratory-based surveillance of Candida species that were collected from different anatomical sites of patients admitted to the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia, from the year 2000 to 2013. MethodsConventional (culture, microscopic examination and carbohydrate assimilation test) and molecular (PCR amplification and DNA sequencing) techniques were used to identify Candida species. ResultsA total of 16 Candida species isolated from 34392 clinical samples were from the oral cavity (oral swabs and throat swabs), blood, respiratory tract (sputum, tracheal secretions, nasopharyngeal aspirates, bronchoalveolar lavage), high vaginal swab, pus and urine. C.albicans (66.70%, 22941/34392), C.glabrata (11.71%, 4029/34392), C.parapsilopsis (10.74%, 3692/34392), C.tropicalis (9.19%, 3162/34392) and C.krusei (1.15%, 396/34392) were the five predominant Candida species. C.albicans was the predominant species isolated from the oral cavity, respiratory tract and high vaginal swab; while the Candida species isolated from blood, urine and pus were predominant non-albicans Candida. Uncommon Candida species, such as C.lusitaniae, C.haemulonii, C.humicola, Pichia ohmeri and C.ciferrii, were also isolated in this study. ConclusionOur study expands the current knowledge of the epidemiology of non-invasive and invasive candidiasis in Malaysia. The variability of the Candida species distribution from different anatomical sites highlights the significance of local epidemiology in disease management and selection of antifungal agents.