Semih Tokak

Dr. Semih Tokak


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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10 February 2026 in Antibiotics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZÇZeynep ÇELİK
Zeynep ÇELİK
İKİbrahim Halil Kılıç
İbrahim Halil Kılıç
STSemih Tokak
Semih Tokak
FTFatma Esenkaya Taşbent
Fatma Esenkaya Taşbent
Background/Objectives: Candida infections constitute a significant category of healthcare-associated infections. In studies aiming to develop new antifungal agents against Candida species, the importance of their virulence factors has been emphasized. Methods: This study included 100 Candida isolates obtained from patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Standard microbiological and molecular methods were employed for species identification. Virulence factors were determined through protease, phospholipase, hemolysis, and biofilm activity assays per-formed on the Candida strains. The EUCAST liquid microdilution method was used to assess antifungal susceptibility. Results: Based on sequencing results, 39 isolates were identified as Candida albicans and 61 as non-albicans Candida species. The accuracy of species identification was found to be 71% for Chromagar Candida and 87% for the MALDI-TOF MS system, compared to sequencing. Protease activity was positive in 52% of the isolates, phospholipase in 42%, hemolytic activity in 77%, and biofilm formation in 48%. Kruskal–Wallis analysis revealed no statistically significant interspecies differences in MIC distributions for amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, or nystatin (p > 0.05), although species-specific trends were observed, with higher fluconazole MICs in C. albicans and lower MIC values in C. tropicalis. Conclusions: Determining the distribution of Candida species, as well as their virulence factors and antifungal MIC profiles, is of great importance for developing appropriate treatment strategies and reducing related morbidity and mortality.