Prevalence and Characterization of Opportunistic Candidal Infection among Diabetic Foot Ulcer Patients, Puducherry

Abstract

The aim of our present study was to estimate the prevalence and characterization of Candidal infection in foot ulcer patients and its virulence factors and their drug resistant pattern. Diabetic patients are more susceptible to candidias is infection due to poor glycemic control and therapeutic dentures. A total of 100Swabs was taken from diabetic foot ulcer patients from January 2017 to June 2017.Samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) medium. Candida spp. were differentiated by culture on Hi CHROM agar, Sugar assimilation test, fermentation test, virulence factors and antifungal sensitivity test. Out of 100 samples obtained from diabetic foot ulcer patients , 36 (36%) were positive for Candidasp by culture.Candida albicans was found to be the predominant isolate followed byothers. Candida albicans shows more virulence activity than non albicans. Resistance to fluconazole was observed in our study .C.albicans was more resistant to azoles  than non albicans. Our results will gives physicians the knowledge on virulence factors ,antifungal susceptibility testing and the development of newer antifungal drugs are mandatory to achieve a decrease in Candida infections among diabetic foot ulcer patients. Fluconazole resistance is a public health concern and the rational use of this drug is important in community.