title: Antifungal resistance in Candida spp. isolated in Italy between 2002 and 2005 from children and adults.
abstract: The activity of amphotericin B, fluconazole, flucytosine, itraconazole and voriconazole was tested in vitro against 618 clinical Candida spp. isolates, using the broth microdilution or the disk diffusion method (voriconazole). Amphotericin B and voriconazole were the most potent antifungal agents assayed (100% of susceptible strains). Resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole was detected in three (0.7%) and 11 (2.7%) isolates of Candida albicans and in four (3.7%) isolates of Candida glabrata. Flucytosine intermediate, resistant strains, or both, were observed in C. albicans (0.3% and 0.7%), C. glabrata (2.8% intermediate) and C. tropicalis (15.2% and 15.2%). C. krusei was the least susceptible species to azoles. No statistically significant differences in the rates of resistant isolates depending on site of infection and age of the patient were observed, with the exception of C. albicans and itraconazole (higher percentage of resistance in children). At present, acquired antifungal resistance represents an uncommon finding in most Candida spp. circulating in Northern Italy.
authors.affiliation: Sezione di Microbiologia del Di.S.C.A.T. University of Genoa, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gualco
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Debbia
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bandettini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pescetto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cavallero
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ossi
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Schito
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marchese
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015725:Fluconazole