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Faecal candida and diarrhoea
D Forbes1, L Ee, P Camer-Pesci
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, GPO Box D184, Perth, Western Australia, 6001. david@paed.uwa.edu.au
Background:
Candida species are frequently isolated from stools of children with diarrhoea but are not proven enteropathogens. It is hypothesised that faecal candida causes diarrhoea.
Aims:
To determine the prevalence of faecal candida in childhood diarrhoea and the relation between faecal yeasts and diarrhoea.
Methods:
Comparison of clinical and laboratory data, including quantitative stool culture for yeasts from 107 children hospitalised with diarrhoea and 67 age matched controls without diarrhoea.
Results:
Yeast species, predominantly candida, were identified in the stools of 43 children (39%) with diarrhoea and 26 (36%) without diarrhoea. The concentration of candida was positively associated with recent antibiotic use (p = 0.03) and with the presence of another enteric pathogen (p < 0.005), but not with patient age, nutritional status, or duration of diarrhoea.
Conclusion:
Candida species do not cause childhood diarrhoea in well nourished children.
Insights
This study found that Candida species in the stool do not cause diarrhea in well-nourished children. While yeasts are common in children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Candida species are commonly found in the stools of children experiencing diarrhea.
- However, their role as enteropathogens causing diarrhea has not been definitively established.
- This research investigates the hypothesis that fecal Candida may be a cause of childhood diarrhea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of fecal Candida in children with diarrhea.
- To examine the relationship between the presence of fecal yeasts and the occurrence of childhood diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study was conducted involving 107 children hospitalized with diarrhea and 67 age-matched controls without diarrhea.
- Quantitative stool cultures for yeasts were performed.
- Clinical and laboratory data were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Yeast species, primarily Candida, were detected in 39% of children with diarrhea and 36% of controls.
- Higher Candida concentrations were associated with recent antibiotic use (p=0.03) and the presence of other enteric pathogens (p<0.005).
- No significant association was found with patient age, nutritional status, or diarrhea duration.
Conclusions:
- Candida species are not identified as a cause of diarrhea in well-nourished children.
- The findings suggest that other factors are responsible for diarrhea in this population, despite the presence of Candida.