Identification of various Candida species causing oral thrush and its antifungal susceptibility pattern in the tertiary care center of Gujarat, India

Abstract Background: Candida albicans , although conventionally considered the dominant pathogen for oral candidiasis, other species of Candida are being increasingly reported with varying antifungal susceptibility profiles. Objective: This study aimed to identify the species of Candida in cases of oral thrush and evaluate their antifungal susceptibility. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 1 year at SSG Hospital, Baroda, among 180 adult patients clinically diagnosed with oral thrush. Oral swabs were collected, subjected to microscopy, culture, germ tube testing, and chlamydospore formation. Antifungal susceptibility using the CLSI M44-A disk diffusion technique was performed with fluconazole and voriconazole. Results: Candida was isolated in 46.67% of cases, of which nonalbicans species were predominant. Fluconazole resistance was noted in 32.14% isolates, with good susceptibility to voriconazole (92.86%). Conclusion: The shift toward nonalbicans Candida species in oral candidiasis highlights the importance of identifying species and antifungal susceptibility testing to ensure effective treatment.