Epidemiology, Genotyping (Paperback)

This study is the first detailed analysis of Candida infections in burn patients in an Indian hospital. Burn patients are never subjected to fungal culture or given antifungals unless oral thrush develops. All attention goes to treat life threatening gram- negative bacterial septicemia. Often there is no significant bacterial culture positivity, still the patient deteriorates and dies. Study suggests that in such instances, patient might be suffering from fungal septicemia. This study is an attempt, expected to lead to better clinical management of burn patients. Interactions occurring between various bacteria and fungi in the burn wound are also analyzed, which may altogether alter the clinical prognosis of the patient. In agreement with earlier in vitro studies, it is observed that Pseudomonas significantly inhibits growth of Candida in vivo in the burn wound, either alone or in combination with other bacteria suggesting that Pseudomonas has an inhibitory effect on the growth of Candida. Results also suggest the involvement of some unknown genes and transcription factors in causing azole resistance in intrinsically resistant C. albicans clinical isolates.