LAUSR

Fluconazole resistance among clinical Candida parapsilosis isolates is an emerging problem in many countries, including Kuwait. Resistance to fluconazole is mediated by amino acid substitutions in ERG11 and/or by overexpression of efflux pumps MDR1 and CDR1. Clinical C. parapsilosis sensu stricto isolates (n = 442) were tested for susceptibility to fluconazole by Etest, Vitek II, and broth microdilution methods. ERG11 was analyzed from fluconazole-resistant, fluconazole-susceptible dose-dependent, and selected fluconazole-susceptible isolates. Of 442 C. parapsilosis isolates, 425, 2, and 15 were identified as susceptible, susceptible dose-dependent, and resistant to fluconazole, respectively. PCR sequencing of ERG11 identified Y132F mutation in 5 of 11 fluconazole-resistant isolates available for analysis. This mutation was absent in 46 fluconazole-susceptible and 2 fluconazole-susceptible dose-dependent isolates. A multiplex allele-specific PCR was developed for detection of Y132F mutation in ERG11, and ...