Oropharyngeal candidiasis is one of the common manifestations seen in cancer patients on cytotoxic therapy and invasion into deeper tissues can occur if not treated promptly. Emergence of antifungal drug resistance is of serious concern owing to the associated morbidity and mortality. The present study aims at evaluation of clinicomycological association and antifungal drug susceptibility among the 180 recruited patients with cancer on chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with signs or symptoms suggestive of oral candidiasis. Speciation and antifungal susceptibility was done by Microbroth dilution method for fluconazole, Itraconazole, and Amphotericin B as per standard microbiological techniques. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant). Candida albicans was the predominant species isolated (94) (58%) followed by Candida tropicalis (34) (20.9%). Fluconazole and Itraconazole showed an overall resistance rate of 14% and 14.8%, respectively. All the isolates were susceptible to Amphotericin B. There was a significant association between the presence of dry mouth and isolation of Candida (p < 0.001). Such clinicomicrobiological associations can help in associating certain symptoms with the isolation of Candida. Species level identification with in vitro antifungal susceptibility pattern is essential to choose the appropriate drug and to predict the outcome of therapy.

Background and Objectives: The emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in neonatal intensive care unit patients is increasing.

Recent years, due to increased usage of antifungal treatment worldwide, there is an increased chance of rising resistance among antifungal drugs too. Dermatophytic infections causes’ superficial mycosis and it affects skin, hair and nail. These infections are more common and antifungal drugs are used everywhere to treat those common infections. To conduct a study by determining the antifungal susceptibility pattern in dermatophytic isolates from patients attending dermatology OPD in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 217 samples like hair, nail and skin scrapings were obtained and isolation of dermatophytes was done. Antifungal susceptibility testing for dermatophytes was performed by micro broth dilution method. Antifungal drugs tested were Griseofulvin, Fluconazole, Itraconazole and Ketoconazole. Minimum inhibitory concentration for each drug for fungal isolates was tested and results studied. Fluconazole showed a higher MIC values in the range of 1-8µg/ml. Itraconazole showed the lowest MIC values by micro broth dilution method. Since there is limitation of standard guidelines and protocol, meticulous research must be conducted on effect of antifungals and derive at universally implementable guidelines.

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Objective: Candida species are emerging as a significant pathogen certain species of Candida like Candida krusei are inherently resistant to azoles. In vitro susceptibility testing is essential for guiding therapy. The present study aims to study the antifungal susceptibility pattern of Candida isolates by disc diffusion and micro broth dilution method and to evaluate the degree of agreement between both the techniques. Methods: Candida isolated from specimens like Oropharyngeal swabs, blood, pus and wound swabs were included in the study. Speciation was done as per standard microbiological methods. Antifungal resistance was determined by disc diffusion method for fluconazole, Itraconazole, amphotericin B, nystatin and clotrimazole. Microbroth dilution method was performed for fluconazole, Itraconazole and amphotericin B. The degree of agreement between both the methods for the resistant isolates was analysed by deriving the kappa value. Results: Out of the 156 Candida isolates obtained, Candida albicans was the most common species isolated. By disc diffusion method fluconazole and Itraconazole showed an overall resistance of 34 (21.7%) and 27 (17.3%), respectively. Using micro broth dilution method, Fluconazole and Itraconazole had a resistance percentage of 35 (22.4%) and 29 (18.5%), respectively. There was a good agreement between both the methods in detecting the percentage of resistant isolates for fluconazole and Itraconazole (κ=0.9). Conclusion: It is essential to perform susceptibility testing for all the Candida isolates for providing crucial information about the resistance pattern and help in choosing the appropriate antifungal drug for therapy. Disc diffusion method which is easy to perform can be utilized for day to day practice.