EC Microbiology

Fungal infections can pose a serious health threat. Candida fungi are the leading cause of fungal infections in hospitalized patients, significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality. This article presents the results of antifungal activity against Candida spp. in men (n = 85) undergoing to hospital or ambulatory treatment from January 1, 2024, to August 1, 2025. Antifungal susceptibility profiling assessed using the disk-diffusion method at various loci where Candida fungi detected. Susceptibility levels were assessed as susceptible (s), moderately susceptible (i), and resistant (r). The results obtained from the biological material revealed that in patients with Candida spp. the highest resistance was observed against fluconazole (selective susceptibility 17% (n = 8), resistance 49% (n = 23)). In addition, majority of fluconazole-resistant strains detected in sputum: 10.3% (n = 3) were selectively susceptible, while 48.3% (n = 14) were resistant. The most susceptible Candida species, nystatin (95.8%, n = 46) and clotrimazole (87.8%, n = 72), lack a systemic form, making sputum inaccessible. This fact should be considered when prescribing antifungal therapy.

Keywords: Antifungals; Fluconazole; Susceptibility; Resistance; Men

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