Abstract:

Objective: Candidemia is the fourth most common infection among nosocomial blood circulation infections. Although Candida albicans is the most frequently identified species in invasive candidiasis, incidence of non-albicans Candida species were increased especially among critically ill patients. This reflects the changes in clinical practice. The main objective of the present study is to determine the distribution of the Candida species that causes candidemia in our hospital and contributes to the prevention of nosocomial infections. Methods: In a retrospective study on candidemia, various Candida species isolated from blood cultures were evaluated and their epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological characteristics were determined.Results: A total of 200 species of Candida were identified and the distribution was as follows: 38% C. albicans, 24.5% C. parapsilosis, 16.5% C. tropicalis, 13% C. glabrata, 3% C. krusei, 2% C. sake, 1% C. lusitaniae, 0.5% C. guilliermondii. The highest amounts of (103/200; 51.5%) of Candida species were identified at the adult intensive care unit.Conclusion: Parallel to the increase in the patient population that is as risk for Candida infections, epidemiological studies should be made to identify the species and develop effective treatment protocols

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