Biofilm-forming fluconazole-resistant Candida auris causing vulvovaginal candidiasis in an immunocompetent patient: A case report

• Published in: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine
• Main Authors: Lakshmi Krishnasamy, Jayasankari Senthilganesh, Chitralekha Saikumar, Paramasivam Nithyanand
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021
• Subjects: candida auris; resistance; biofilm; scanning electron microscopy; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.4103/1995-7645.306768; https://doaj.org/article/9dd370a8084f4893b19ad7f2921cd86b

Rationale: Candida auris is a potential emerging pathogen among Candida and causes serious health threats globally. Patient concerns: We reported a case of vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by Candida auris. A 26-year-old female presented with complaints of vaginal discharge, itching and low back pain. Diagnosis: High vaginal swab culture yielded Candida. The strain was confirmed as Candida auris by amplification and sequencing the internal transcribed spacer region. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed that the isolate was resistant to fluconazole, amphotericin B and clotrimazole and susceptible to ketoconazole and nystatin. The isolate also exhibited biofilm forming ability. Interventions: Her symptoms did not subside with initial management with fluconazole and clotrimazole. Later, she was started on ketoconazole therapy. The patient responded well to ketoconazole. Outcome and lessons: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the presence of a drug resistant biofilm forming Candida auris strain isolated from a vaginal swab sample from Chennai area. Biofilm forming ability might contribute to its drug resistance. Nucleic acid analysis helps in rapid and accurate identification of such rare species.