International Journal of Innovation and Development

Resistance Patterns of Candida Albicans Isolates to some Antifungals

Abena K. Sarpong

Kumasi Technical University

Keywords: Candida Albicans, Susceptibility Testing, Vulvovaginal infection, Antifungal agents, PCR

Abstract

Vulvovaginal infection affects the female genital organ, unfortunately there is an increasing rate of recurrent vaginal candidiasis owing to microbial resistance with limited data on microbial resistance to antifungal agents in Ghana. This study therefore determined the antifungal resistance patterns of Candida albicans isolates to some antifungals. Three hundred and fifty (350) high vaginal swab (HVS) samples were collected from women who presented with signs and symptoms of VVI. HVS samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar with 2% chloramphenicol. The polymerase chain reaction was employed to confirm the isolation of C. albicans. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed and the susceptibility of C. albican isolates to fluconazole, clotrimazole, amphotericin B, nystatin, miconazole and 5’ flucytosine were assessed. In the study vaginal infection was most prevalent amongst females in their reproductive age (21 to 30 years). Out of the 350 HVS samples collected, 112 yielded yeast cells with 65 (58%) identified as C. albicans. The C. albicans isolates were resistant to 5’ flucytosine (100%), fluconazole (70%), voriconazole (69.2%), miconazole (58.5%) and nystatin (49.2%). C. albicans isolates were more susceptible to amphotericin B (53.8%) and clotrimazole (45.1%), although an appreciable number of the isolates showed some resistance (46.1% and 52.3% respectively). In conclusion, there is a high rate of antifungal resistance with highest resistance rate of 100% (flucytosine) and the least resistance rate of 46.1% (amphotericin B). The various antifungal agents used in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis should be critically considered and appropriate recommendations made to enhance and improve the treatment regimen with these agents.