Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Candida species in ICU

: Two hundred sixty three Candida isolates were obtained from specimens of patients hospitalized in a Intensive Care Unit. Candida albicans was the predominant species, followed by C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata e C. parapsilosis. For C. albicans isolates, amphotericin B was the more efficient antifungal (2.3% of resistant strains), while voriconazole was the more efficient for C. krusei and C. glabrata, known for their lower susceptibility to fluconazole. RAPD-PCR technique with CDU primer was used for the molecular characterization of 48 C. albicans strains isolated from 10 patients. Genetic similarity at 90% level was observed for some Candida strains isolated from the same patient, indicating a possible colonization from the original strain. Moreover the high similarity coefficient observed between isolates from different patients may indicate an exogenous colonization originating from hospital-endemic strains or inadequate manipulation by health care workers.