title: Role of Non Albicans Candida Spp. and Biofilm in Neonatal ICU.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Candida spp. remains the fungal species most commonly associated with biofilm formation. Increase in Candida infections in last decades has almost paralleled the increase and wide spread use of a broad range of medical implant devices mainly in population with impaired host defences. One of the most important characteristics of biofilms is their high level of resistance to antimicrobial drugs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to know the prevalence of different Candida spp. causing blood stream infections and ability to form biofilm and to evaluate the co relation of biofilm with antifungal drug resistance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was conducted on 12464 blood samples for the identification and speciation of various Candida spp. causing blood stream infection over a period of one year. Antifungal susceptibility was performed as per clinical laboratory standard institute guidelines and biofilm formation was detected by method described by Christensen's et al.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of total 12464 blood culture received, 1378 (11.05%) were culture positive rest and among culture positive 100 (7.25%) Candida isolates were recovered. C. tropicalis was the commonest (43%) species followed by C. albicans (41%), C. krusei (9%) and C. parapsilosis (7%). A total of 41 Candida isolates were biofilm producers and rest 59 isolates were non-biofilm producers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A changing trend of increased prevalence of non albicans Candida spp. was observed which were resistant to commonly used antifungal fluconazole. Multi drug resistance was more common in biofilm forming Candida isolates.
authors.forename: Shagun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goel
authors.affiliation: 718-1/35 Janta Colony, Near Devi Vihar, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India. dr.sima2010@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.forename: Uma
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D041022:Candida tropicalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D058387:Candidemia / Q000382:microbiology*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D026141:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D015725:Fluconazole