en قارچ شناسی Mycology Research Article Research Article <p style="line-height:2.4; text-align:justify; margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b>Background:</b> <i>Candida</i> species are known to be the most frequently encountered fungal pathogens in humans. There has been a noticeable rise in the occurrence of human infections caused by <i>Candida</i> over the past few decades. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify different species of <i>Candida</i> and determine the antifungal susceptibility patterns of <i>Candida</i> species isolated from clinical specimens in a tertiary hospital in Benin, Edo State, Nigeria.<b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"></span></b><br> <b>Methods:</b> A total of 104 <i>Candida</i> isolates were obtained from various clinical specimens using a simple random sampling technique. The isolates were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and were later sub-cultured on CHROMagar <i>Candida</i> after morphological characteristics observation and identification of <i>Candida</i> species were confirmed based on characteristic color production on CHROMagar. Antifungal susceptibility testing for <i>Candida</i> isolates was conducted following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M44-A recommendations for Amphotericin B, Ketoconazole, Fluconazole, and Nystatin. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20.0.<br> <b>Results:</b> <i>Candida albicans</i> was the most prevalent species, accounting for 72.1% of isolates, followed by <i>Candida krusei</i> (17.3%), <i>Candida tropicalis</i> (7.7%), and <i>Candida glabrata</i> (2.9%). High vaginal swabs showed the highest frequency of <i>Candida</i> isolates (46.2%). Females exhibited a higher preponderance of candidiasis (81.3%) compared to males. With p-values of 0.007* and 0.028*, respectively, <i>Candida albicans</i> and <i>Candida glabrata</i> exhibited significant differences in susceptibility to Amphotericin B and Fluconazole antifungal drugs. The antifungal susceptibility testing indicated variations in resistance patterns among different <i>Candida</i> species.<b><span style="font-size:9.0pt"></span></b><br> <b>Conclusion</b>: The study revealed a predominance of <i>Candida albicans</i> in clinical specimens, with emerging cases of non-<i>albicans</i> species. Antifungal resistance to clinically available agents raised concerns, necessitating continuous surveillance and monitoring of susceptibility patterns. The results underscore the importance of developing targeted strategies to combat the challenges posed by antifungal resistance.</span></span></p> Candidiasis, Fungal infection, Susceptibility patterns 31 35 http://mlj.goums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1552-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Pius Omoruyi Omosigho omosighop@gmail.com 100319475328460030612 100319475328460030612 No Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Edo State University, Uzairue, Benin City, Benin, Nigeria Guobadia Precious Oghogho guobadiaprecious366@gmail.com 100319475328460030613 0009-0008-1631-0421 No Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Edo State University, Uzairue, Benin City, Benin, Nigeria Ugiagbe Victory Osayekewmen osayekewmenvictory@gmail.com 100319475328460030614 0009-0009-2549-7870 No Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Edo State University, Uzairue, Benin City, Benin, Nigeria Olalekan John Okesanya okesanyaolalekanjohn@gmail.com 100319475328460030615 100319475328460030615 Yes Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria Janet Mosunmola Oladejo mosunoladejo@gmail.com 100319475328460030616 0009-0006-5532-3722 No Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria Uyigue Paulinus Osarodion paulinuuyigue@yahoo.com 100319475328460030617 0009-0004-7017-9090 No Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria