Antifungal Susceptibility Profile of Candida Clinical Isolates From Prison Inmates in Owerri, Southeast Nigeria
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: The incidence of Candida infections has snowballed over the years due to the rise in AIDS pandemic and some other factors. Antifungal drug resistance is therefore on the increase. This study aimed at isolating Candida species from prison inmates in Owerri, Southeast Nigeria and subjecting them to antifungal susceptibility test to help in treatment. Isolation and identification of the Candida spp. were done by direct microscopy, culture and molecular studies. In the molecular studies, DNA extraction, amplification, quantification, Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were done. Candida tropicalis, Candida parasilosis, Candida orthopsilosis, Candida spp and Candida haemulonis were the clinical isolates recovered from the prison inmates. The antifungal susceptibility test was done using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. The oxoid brand of antifungal discs produced in United Kingdom (Amphothericin B, 20μg (0.02mg), Fluconazole 25μg(0.025mg), Ketoconazole 10μg(1.01mg) and Voriconazole 1μg (0.001mg) were used for the antifungal susceptibility test. The susceptibility test results were obtained by measuring the inhibition zone diameter in millimeters. Ketoconazole was the most effective conventional antifungal agent followed by Amphothericin B, voriconazole while fluconazole was the least effective. All the Candida isolates were sensitive to ketoconazole and this could be attributed to the composition of the drug. Ketonazole was the most effective antifungal agent amongst the ones studied and can be used as a highly effective drug for the treatment of fungal infections, especially candidiasis.
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7215424314