Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 57, 279-284, 2004

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Epidemiological Report

Isolation and Characterization of Candida Spp. in Jordanian Cancer Patients: Prevalence, Pathogenic Determinants, and Antifungal Sensitivity

Hanan M. Al-Abeid, Khaled H. Abu-Elteen*, Ali Z. Elkarmi and Mawieh A. Hamad

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Arts, Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan

(Received March 31, 2004. Accepted July 5, 2004)


*Corresponding author: Mailimg address: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330077, Zarqa 13133, Jordan. Tel: +962 6 4128772, Fax: +962-6-4128772, E-mail: salma@hu.edu.jp


SUMMARY: The presence of Candida spp. in the oral cavity was evaluated in 95 cancer patients (57 in-patients and 38 out-patients) and in 65 healthcare workers in Amman, Jordan. Candida carriage occurred in 72.6% of cancer patients and 33.8% of healthcare workers, with Candida albicans being the species most commonly recovered, followed by C. glabrata. In-patients were found to harbor Candida spp. at significantly higher levels than out-patients (P = 0.0044). The number of adhered C. albicans cells and the secretion of extracellular proteinase was significantly higher in the in-patient group than in the out-patient group (P = 0.0016 and 0.00007, respectively); this significant difference was not observed regarding phospholipase secretion. Antifungal sensitivity testing data suggest that isolates were most sensitive to amphotericin B and nystatin, and least sensitive to miconazole and fluconazole, which are commonly used antifungal agents in Jordan.


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