EC Microbiology

Introduction: Fungal and parasitic infections due to opportunistic pathogens have increased dramatically in recent decades. This increase is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and is directly related to the increase in populations at risk of developing severe fungal and parasitic infections. The objective of this prospective study is to elucidate the prevalence and spectrum of common infections in presumed immunocompromised patients followed at a tertiary care hospital.

Materials and Methods: Clinical samples were received from different departments of a tertiary care hospital in Fez, Morocco, taken from immunocompromised patients of all age groups and both sexes and submitted to a mycological or parasitological study. The identification of fungal and parasitic isolates was performed according to the recommended standard methods. The various fungi and parasites were confirmed by special staining whenever necessary.

Results: 238 fungal and parasitic isolates were isolated, including 19 parasitic cases and 219 fungal infections. For the fungal isolates identified, Candida sp (74.4%) was the most common, of which Candida albicans was the dominant species, followed by Pneumocystis jirovecii (7.1%), Aspergillus sp (5%), Cryptococcus neoformans (4.2%), and Trichosporon sp (1.3%). For parasitic isolates Cryptosporidium sp (4.6%) was the most prevalent species followed by Cyclospora sp (3.4%).

Conclusion: The awareness of clinicians to the diagnosis and early treatment of these infections, helping in the proper management of patients, especially in resource-limited countries like ours.

Keywords: Fungal; Parasitic; Immunocompromised; Opportunistic Infection

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