[Frequency of candiduria in patients hospitalized in intensive care units]

ABSTRACT

Some Candida species especially Candida albicans are known as flora of human and animals body and coexist in skin, throat and gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. They can primarily be colonized in hospitalized patients and cause diseases. Resent studies have reported increasing rate of candidauria in intensive care unit [ICU] patients. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of candiduria in ICU patients with urinary tract catheterization. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 110 hospitalized patients in ICU over 18 years old who had more than 7 days urinary tract catheter were studied. Urine sample was taken immediately after catheter replacement and sent to the laboratory in less than 1 hour and analyzed. Data collection was done by a questionnaire and check list. A total of 110 patients including 65 men [59.1%] and 45 women [40.9%] were studied of whom 29 ones [26.4%] had candiduria based on urine culture. Candida albicans was the most common species [34.3%]. Risk factors of candiduria were age, duration of hospitalization and urinary tract catheterization, using more than two antibiotics, corticosteroid consumption, and diabetes mellitus. Due to the increasing rate of candida infection in hospitalized patients especially ICU patients, more attention for prevention of candiduria especially in those with candiduria risk factors is recommended