Biofilm as Virulence Marker in Candida Isolated from Blood

2 Abstract: Biofilm production has been implicated as a potential virulence factor of some candida species responsible for catheter related candidaemia in ICU patients with indwelling devices. Early detection of slime production by the candida species may be useful for clinical decisions. We therefore have aimed at demonstrating the formation of biofilm by candida species isolated from blood samples collected from ICU patients and patients with indwelling devices (dialysis). 34 species of Candida were isolated from the blood samples and the isolates include C. krusei (38.23%), C. albicans (20.58%), C. parapsilosis (11.76%), C. guilliermondii (5.88%), C. glabrata (11.76%), C. tropicalis (5.88%) and C. pseudotropicalis (5.88%). The organisms were grown on sabouraud's liquid medium containing 8% glucose. Biofilm production was determined. The biofilm formation by C. albicans was less frequent (42.85%), than that by non C. albicans (63.33%). The data suggest that the capacity of candida species to produce biofilm invitro may be a reflection of the pathogenic potential of the isolates to cause central venous catheter related candidaemia in ICU patients and patients on dialysis.