PREVALENCE OF CANDIDA-TROPICALIS IN CLINICAL SPECIMENS FROM PATIENTS WITH VARIABLE CLINICAL SYNDROMES OVER A 5-YEAR PERIOD

In this study, we have examined our records for the isolation of Candi da tropicalis from clinical specimens of patients with heterogeneous c linical presentations during the past 5 years. We have found that this species ranks third among all yeasts in frequency of isolation from c linical specimens and that the trend of recovery from the specimens is rising over the years. The isolation rate of C. tropicalis was highes t from urine specimens (36%) followed by respiratory specimens (22%). The frequency of isolation of C. tropicalis from vaginal specimens was relatively high (14%), however the trend was declining over the years . In general, the high recovery of Candida tropicalis from clinical sp ecimens of patients with variable disease supports the views of this o rganism being a major pathogen.