Different Aspects of Candiduria as an Important Nosocomial Infection

Background and Objective: Urinary tract infections are considered an important category of nosocomial infections. Nowadays, fungal infections of the urinary tract especially by candida (candiduria) are increasing due to many predisposing factors such as: Antibacterial agents, indwelling urinary catheters, diabetes mellitus, immuno-suppressive drugs, and many others. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of candiduria by different candida species in patients admitted to Zagazig University Hospitals in Egypt. Material and Methods: A total of 300 urine samples were collected during a period of 12 months and transferred to microbiology laboratory in clinical pathology department. Samples were cultured on Sabouraud s dextrose agar (SDA), different candida species were identified based on germ tube test, colony morphology and color on CHROMagar candida plates and by Fungichrom I system. Results: In this study, 300 hospitalized patients were sampled (146 females 154 males). The prevalence of candiduria in these patients was 14% (42 in 300), 26 cases were females and 16 were males. The major predisposing factor associated with candiduria was antibiotic therapy (71.4%). The most common isolates were C.albicans (61.9%) followed by C.glabrata (21.4%), C.krusei (9.5%) and C.tropicalis (7.5%). Conclusion: Candiduria is considered one of the important causes of nosocomial urinary infections in hospitalized patients. There is strong correlation between candiduria and the uncontrolled intake of broad spectrum antibiotics.