Isolation of Candida Species from Gastroesophageal Lesions among Pediatrics in Isfahan, Iran: Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Clinical Isolates by E-test

BACKGROUND: Candida species can become opportunistic pathogens causing local or systemic invasive infections. Gastroesophageal candidiasis may depend on the Candida colonization and local damage of the mucosal barrier. Risk factors are gastric acid suppression, diabetes mellitus, chronic debilitating states such as carcinomas, and the use of systemic antibiotics and corticosteroids. The aim of this study is collection and molecular identification of Candida species from gastroesophageal lesions among pediatrics in Isfahan, and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranges for clinical isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 patients underwent endoscopy (130 specimens from gastritis and 70 samples from esophagitis) were included in this study between April 2015 and November 2015. All specimens were subcultured on sabouraud dextrose agar, and genomic DNA of all strains was extracted using boiling method. Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing of the ITS1-5.8SrDNA-ITS2 region were used for the identification of all Candida strains. MIC ranges were determined for itraconazole (ITC), amphotericin B (AmB), and fluconazole (FLU) by E-test. RESULTS: Twenty of 200 suspected patients (10%) were positive by direct microscopy and culture. Candida albicans was the most common species (60%) followed by Candida glabrata (30%), Candida parapsilosis (5%), and Candida kefyr (5%). MIC ranges were determined for FLU (0.125–8 μg/mL), ITC (0.008–0.75 μg/mL), and AmB (0.008–0.75 μg/mL), respectively. CONCLUSION: Every colonization of Candida species should be considered as a potentially factor of mucocutaneous candidiasis and should be treated with antifungal drugs.