Objective: Candida species are the most common fungal pathogens causing infection in human beings, and their importance is increasing in parallel with the developments in diagnosis and treatment approaches in recent years. In this study, it was aimed to determine retrospectively the distribution and antifungal susceptibilities of Candida species isolated from blood cultures.

Material and Methods: Yeast growth in blood cultures sent to Microbiology Laboratory of Duzce University, Research and Training Hospital, during January 2012-March 2018 period, were identified by germ tube formation, microscopic appearance on corn meal-Tween 80 agar and typing was performed using VITEK 2 Compact automated identification system. Susceptibilities of amphotericin B, voriconazole, fluconazole and micafungin were determined using the same automated system.

Results: A total of 81 Candida isolates were identified as Candida albicans (55%), Candida parapsilosis (18%), Candida glabrata (12%), Candida tropicalis (12%), Candida lipolytica (2%) and Candida kefyr (1%). Of the isolates 7% were found to be resistant to amphotericin B, 12% to voriconazole, 11% to fluconazole, 19% to micafungin.

Conclusion: In conclusion, in our study, the most frequently isolated species was C. albicans and among the non-albicans Candida species it was C. parapsilosis. It was observed that the antifungal resistance rates of isolates are quite different among species. This suggests that Candida species should be identified at the species level and antifungal susceptibility tests should be performed in invasive infections such as candidiasis and determining the antifungal resistance profiles of Candida species will guide the empirical therapy.