Abstract

Background: Although cutting edge technologies have advanced overall knowledge of microbial infections, what microorganisms will do when challenged with different surface-active agents is still incompletely understood, in resource-limited settings.              Objective: This study was therefore designed to determine the idiosyncratic in-vitro response of yeast strains, challenged with selected routine antifungal agents used for routine prophylactic management of HIV infected.                                                                   Methods: A total of 304 (235 females and 69 males) patients with different conditions were recruited and oral lesions collected and analyzed using standard phenotypic methods. The MIC) of the isolates were determined by the E-test stable agar gradient method (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden)                                                                                                                                                                          Results: All Candida albicans strains were sensitive to the azoles except in Masaka District where C albicans showed a sensitive-dose dependent MIC of (0.14 μg/ml) to Itraconazole. District of isolation of yeast strains significantly (p<0.05) impacted on MIC results as different MIC values were obtained after testing similar yeast strains from different districts against the same anti-fungal agents. Thus, intra-species variations in average MIC values were noted among the yeast strains from different Districts. Itraconazoles tested against C. albicans showed varying MICs values of 0.05 μg/ml in Mbarara District; 0.03 μg/ml in Rukungiri District and 0.14 μg/ml in Masaka District. Fluconazole tested against C. albicans also showed varying MICs of 0.5 in Mbarara District; 0.99 μg/ml in Rukungiri District and 0.14 μg/ml in Masaka District.                                                                                                                                                            conclusion: Observed intra-species variations in average MIC values noted among the yeast strains from different Districts in the same region of the country signifies idiosyncrasy in yeast response to antifungal agents used in the management of yeast infections in a given locality. Sustained yeast MIC surveillance as panacea to impact treatment outcome is recommended.