<i>Candida</i> Susceptibility to Antifungals in Amniotic Fluid: A Preliminary Study

• Published in: Pathogens
• Main Authors: Silvia Gabriela Ionescu, Cristina Daniela Dimitriu, Demetra Gabriela Socolov, Mihaela Grigore, Luminita Smaranda Iancu, Costin Damian, Roxana Gabriela Cobzaru, Carmen Valerica Ripa, Diana Costin, Radu-Florin Popa, Brindusa Copacianu, Ramona Gabriela Ursu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2025-09-01
• Subjects: <i>Candida</i> spp.; amniotic fluid; antifungal susceptibility: minimum inhibitory concentration; intra-amniotic infection; real-time PCR
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/10/972

(1) Background: Fungal infections of amniotic fluid, especially those caused by <i>Candida</i> spp., are rare but clinically important, as they can be correlated with preterm birth and poor neonatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the antifungal susceptibility of <i>Candida</i> spp. isolated from amniotic fluid using an MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration)-based assay. (2) Methods: Forty consecutive, exploratory <i>Candida</i> isolates were identified from amniotic fluid samples at the “Cuza Vodă” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iași, and were analyzed successively using Sabouraud agar, the VITEK^® 2 Compact system, and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). (3) Results: <i>C. albicans</i> was the most abundant species (67.5%), followed by <i>Pichia kudriavzevii</i>, <i>Nakaseomyces glabratus</i>, <i>C. parapsilosis</i>, and <i>C. dubliniensis</i>. Fluconazole resistance was observed in two <i>C. albicans</i> isolates, emphasizing the clinical importance of routine antifungal susceptibility testing, and all <i>C. albicans</i> isolates were resistant to micafungin, while amphotericin B remained effective against all isolates. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of <i>C. albicans</i> DNA. (4) Conclusions: The detection of resistant <i>Candida</i> strains highlights the importance of conducting assessments at the species level, which could help clinicians to ensure better antifungal stewardship.