Microbiological characteristics of yeasts isolated from urinary tracts of intensive care unit patients undergoing
N Febré1, V Silva, E A Medeiros
1Escuela de Enfermería, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. nfebre@machi.med.uchile.cl
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|April 16, 1999
Abstract:
We studied 70 intensive care unit patients to determine the incidence of nosocomial candiduria associated with indwelling urinary catheters and to assess microbiological characteristics of the yeasts. The yeasts were isolated, 13 of 17 in urine cultures and 4 of 17 in blood cultures, and colonization had occurred 3 days after the insertion of indwelling urinary catheters. For four strains the MICs of the antifungal drugs were high.
Insights
Nosocomial candiduria, a yeast infection in urine, frequently occurs in intensive care unit patients with urinary catheters. Some yeast strains showed high resistance to antifungal drugs.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Microbiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Indwelling urinary catheters are common in intensive care units.
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections, including candiduria, pose a significant risk.
- Understanding yeast characteristics and antifungal susceptibility is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of nosocomial candiduria in intensive care unit patients with indwelling urinary catheters.
- To characterize the microbiological features of isolated yeasts.
- To assess antifungal drug minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for these yeast strains.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 70 intensive care unit patients.
- Yeast identification from urine and blood cultures.
- Correlation of yeast isolation with indwelling urinary catheter insertion time.
- Antifungal drug susceptibility testing (MIC determination).
Main Results:
- Yeast was isolated in 13 of 17 urine cultures and 4 of 17 blood cultures.
- Colonization by yeast occurred approximately 3 days post-catheter insertion.
- Four yeast strains exhibited high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to tested antifungal drugs.
Conclusions:
- Indwelling urinary catheters are associated with a notable incidence of nosocomial candiduria in ICU settings.
- Early colonization suggests a need for timely monitoring.
- High antifungal MICs in some strains highlight potential treatment challenges and the need for further investigation.
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