Why Candida Species have Emerged as Important Nosocomial Pathogens?

Health care associated infection (HCAI) has a propensity to thwart and decelerate the every effort of clinician taken towards patient care. In recent years HCAIs due to Candida spp. are increasing at an alarming rate. Candida spp. is now considered as the third or fourth most common cause of HCAIs in the United States, out numbering all Gram negative bacilli. Over the past few decades, the species associated with candidiasis has progressively shifted from Candida albicans to treatment resistant non albicans Candida (NAC) spp. Increase in incidence of nosocomial Candida infections and the emergence of unusual, relatively unknown and treatment resistant Candida spp. has emphasized the need of continuous monitoring the spectrum of candidiasis with reference to epidemiology, species distribution and antifungal resistance. K e y w o r d s