Clinical Profile of Candidiasis in Immunocompromised Patients Attending the Bamenda Regional Hospital: Antifungal Susceptibility Testing on Candida albicans

Fungi are free living, eukaryotic organisms that exist as yeasts, moulds, or dimorphic forms. Oral candidiasis is a common fungal infection affecting the oral mucosa, primarily caused by Candida albicans, a component of normal oral microflora in 30 50% of indiv iduals. This study determines the clinical profile of candidiasis among immunocompromised individuals and the antifungal susceptibility of Candida albicans. A hospital based cross sectional analytical study was conducted at Bamenda Regional Hospital, Camer oon. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS version 21.0. Of 500 participants, most were aged 28 37 years (51.2%), female (87.2%), married (59.4%), and Christian (99%) (p<0.001). Prevalence rates were: oral candidiasis ( 3.4%), gastrointestinal (GI) candidiasis (5.8%), and vulvovaginal (VV) candidiasis (26.6%). Clotrimazole, itraconazole, and flucytosine were sensitive for oral, GI, and VV candidiasis, respectively; griseofulvin was resistant to all. Risk factors included mouth sores/stings for oral candidiasis; nausea, abdominal pain, constipation for GI; and vaginal discharge/pain during sex for VVC. Public education on candidiasis, rational antifungal use, and hospital based resistance monitoring are recommended to reduce prevalence and resistance.