Phenotypic characterization of <i>Candida Albicans</i> from clinical sources in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Objective: To isolate and carry out phenotypic characterization Candida species from clinical sources in Nairobi Kenya. Study design/setting: Laboratory Based Experiment at Mycology Laboratory, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya. We studied 130 Candida s species isolated between 2000 - 2005. The isolates were from blood, stool, urine, CSF and swabs of patients from different health Institutions in Nairobi.

Methods: Preliminary identification was done using morphological features and CHROMagar and confirmed using Analytical profile index (API 20 C aux).

Results: Candida albicans were 130/150 (86.7%) whereas 13.3% were non albicans Candida and included; C. parapsilosis 4%, C. tropicalis 2.7%, C. krusei 2.7%, C. guilliemondii 1.3% and C. famata, 1.3%. Germ tube positive C. albicans were 96.1% while only 3.8% were germ tube negative. All the 130 isolates identified as C. albicans formed chlamydospores on Corn meal agar and all grew at both 37⁰C and 45 °C ruling out the possibility of Candida dubliniensis.

Conclusion: Non albicans candida are of clinical significance and may warrant the need speciate Candida species from clinical setting and constantly monitor for fungal resistance as some Candida species are intrinsically resistant to certain antifungal drugs especially in the context of opportunistic infections in HIV/AIDS.