Distribution and susceptibility of Candida species isolated in the Medical University of Debrecen

Data of Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species isolated during the 1997-2000 period in the Medical and Health Science Center of the University of Debrecen are analysed. The number of yeast isolates increased from 408 to 1213 per year during this period. Dominance of C. albicans has been persistent, but a slight increase of C. glabrata and C. krusei could be observed. Distribution of different Candida species isolated from 16 body sites indicates that C. albicans seems to be still the most aggressive Candida species. Investigation of 244 urinary Candida isolates (parallel with bacterial cultures) suggests that tha aetiological role of Candida species in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections can be hypothesized if colony forming unit (CFU) number of yeasts is higher than 10(4)/ml and bacteria are present in low CFU number or are absent. Antifungal susceptibility testing of C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. krusei against Flucytosine, Amphotericin-B, Miconazole, Ketoconazole and Fluconazole suggests that Amphotericin-B is still the most effective antifungal agent. Finally, the problems in judging the aetiological role of isolated Candida species in the pathogenesis of different types of diseases are critically discussed.