Genotyping and Antifungal Susceptibility Profile of Candida albicans Isolated from Cancer Patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the genotypic and antifungal susceptibility of C. albicans obtained from cancer patients. The study included fifty cancer patients treated with chemotherapy who exhibited evident oral lesions. Oral swabs from cancer patients and healthy persons screened for the occurrence of C. albicans. Isolates were identified by the conventional mycological methods. Genotypes were determined using 25S rDNA PCR analysis. Oral C. albicans was detected in 84.0% cancer patients and 52.0% healthy persons. PCR targeting 25S rDNA genotype analyses of C. albicans obtained from cancer patients, allowed isolates to be grouped into genotypes A, B, C and T, among which genotype A C. albicans constitutes the majority of this fungus. Genotype A C. albicans recognized the entirely isolates in healthy group. Isolates were most sensitive to amphotericin B. Isolates has shown high rate of resistance to fluconazole and ketoconazole. 25S rDNA have been shown to be a useful criterion for distinguishing among various isolates of C. albicans. Amphotericin B is effective antifungal agents that can be used against isolates. The study believes that description of active pathogens in Candida infections at the genotype level and research on antifungal sensitivity will be very useful in epidemiology, managing treatment, and preventing resistance development in hospitals