Antimicrobial Resistance among Fungal Species Obtained from Patients with Genito-urinary Tract Infections

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTis) whether caused by fungi or bacteria, are categorized into two sections (lower and upper urinary tract infections) which may occur in asymptomatic or symptomatic forms. Increasing incidence in recent years of this infection is significantly associated with extensive and prolonged use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive and cytotoxic drugs. This is caused by an increase in antimicrobial resistance and the restricted number of antifungal drugs, which retain many side effects. Aim: This research was setup to isolate and identify different fungi species responsible for genito-urinary tract infection and to determine their antifungal susceptibility pattern and to evaluate the degree of resistance to antifungal drugs. Study Design: 40 Urine samples were collected using a sterile urinary cup and 10 vaginal swabs were collected using sterile swab sticks. Different diagnostic methods were used for characterization of these fungi species. Results: Results showed that 34% of urine samples tested positive for different Candida spp., which includes C. albicans and C. glabrata and 22% tested positive for different Aspergillus spp. which were A. flavus, A. fumigatis and A. niger. Conclusion: Antifungal resistance assay was carried out on the isolates using two common antifungal drugs Amphotericin B and Fluconazole. Candida spp. showed little resistance against Fluconazole but showed sensitivity to various concentration of Amphotericin B. Aspergillus showed resistance to Fluconazole but showed sensitivity to Amphotericin B.