Identification of Candida species isolated from clinical samples of neonatal and children admitted to Tabriz Children´s Hospital using PCR of rDNA-ITS in 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Today, candidiasis is considered an important problem, especially among patients who are hospitalized for a long time. Although Candida albicans is the most common species isolated from colonization and candidiasis, in recent years we have witnessed the spread of infections caused by non-Candida albicans species (Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida glabrata) and other yeast species with different sensitivities and even resistance to common antifungal drugs prescribed in the intensive care unit. Among the 200 identified Candida species, a small number is related to normal flora of humans and some animal species. Also 20 of species are among the apportunistic pathogens of humans and animals and they play a role in causing disease and pathological symptoms. Objective: Determining the Candida species isolated from children and infants hospitalized in different departments of Tabriz Children's Hospital using conventional and molecular methods. Methods: To identify Candida species, the samples taken from children hospitalized in different departments of Tabriz Children's Hospital were cultured in specific environments. Then after examination with microscopic methods, genotyping methods including DNA extraction, and determination of the sequence of the ITS region were performed. Results: According to the tests and investigations carried out on the samples and matching the results of cultures and microscopic examinations with the results of DNA extraction and determination of the sequence of the ITS region of 97 examined samples, we found out that 50 of isolates were related to Candida glabrata, 34 isolates related to Candida albicans or Candida Double Nensis, 5 isolates related to Candida kefir, 6 isolates related to Candida krusei, and 2 of isolates were related to Candida tropicalis. Conclusion: According to the results, the most common species among our investigated samples was Candida glabrata which indicates the change of the main Candida albicans to non-albicans type.