P-78 Unmasking the pathogen: a characterization of Candida and other clinically relevant yeast in Barbados
Author(s):
G Trotman, M Gittens-St.Hilaire
Year of Presentation:
2026
Objective: The treatment of Candida is limited and species specific, as some strains are intrinsically resistance (IR) to antifungals. Moreover, due to IR or the ease at which resistance may be acquired during therapy, species identification is paramount for providing an empiric guide for patient management. This study sought to determine the distribution of Candida and other yeast species present in the Barbadian population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 845 yeast isolates collected from all sample types among patients who tested positive for Candida species. Three hundred and forty-three from public health centers between January 2023 and February 2025. In addition, were 502 isolates from private health clinics, between February 2024 to February 2025. Isolates were sub-cultured onto SDA CHROMagar™ Candida (CAC) for purification. A single phenotypically distinct colony was analyzed using the MALDI-TOF MS (BioMerieux™) proteomic technique in accordance with Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute Guidelines (CLSI M58).
Results: Of the 845 isolates the following species were identified: Candida albicans 71% (n=601); Nakaseomyces glabratus (C. glabrata) 9.5% (n=80); Candida tropicalis 8% (n=66); Candida parapsilosis 6.7% (n=57); Candida orthopsilosis 1.5% (n-13); Pichia kudriavzevii (C. krusei) 0.6% (n=5); Clavispora lusitaniae (Candida lusitaniae), Meyerozyma guilliermondii (C. guilliermondii), and Nakaseomyces nivariensis (C. nivariensis), each 0.5% (n=4); Candida dubliniensis, Candida metapsilosis, and Candidozyma duobushaemulii (Candida duobushaemulosis) each 0.2% (n=2); Diutina rugosa (C. rugosa), Kazachstania slooffiae (C. slooffiae), Meyerozyma caribbica (C. fermentati), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae each 0.1% (n=1).
Conclusion: We agree that yeast species vary according to geographic regions. Since antifungal therapy was species specific, early identification of yeast play a crucial role in guiding treatment decisions.