title: Isolation and characterization of Candida spp. in Jordanian cancer patients: prevalence, pathogenic determinants, and antifungal sensitivity.
abstract: The presence of Candida spp. in the oral cavity was evaluated in 95 cancer patients (57 in-patients and 38 out-patients) and in 65 healthcare workers in Amman, Jordan. Candida carriage occurred in 72.6% of cancer patients and 33.8% of healthcare workers, with Candida albicans being the species most commonly recovered, followed by C. glabrata. In-patients were found to harbor Candida spp. at significantly higher levels than out-patients (P = 0.0044). The number of adhered C. albicans cells and the secretion of extracellular proteinase was significantly higher in the in-patient group than in the out-patient group (P = 0.0016 and 0.00007, respectively); this significant difference was not observed regarding phospholipase secretion. Antifungal sensitivity testing data suggest that isolates were most sensitive to amphotericin B and nystatin, and least sensitive to miconazole and fluconazole, which are commonly used antifungal agents in Jordan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Arts, Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan.
authors.forename: Hanan M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Al-Abeid
authors.forename: Khaled H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Abu-Elteen
authors.forename: Ali Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Elkarmi
authors.forename: Mawieh A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hamad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents