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Updated: May 28, 2026
An In Vitro Bladder Model of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
Published on: June 24, 2025
Fungal urinary tract infection in burn patients with long-term foley catheterization
Jinsup Kim1, Dae Sung Kim, Yong Seong Lee
1Department of Urology, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Purpose:
It is well known that fungi become predominant microorganisms in the urine of patients with long-term Foley catheters. This study was conducted to evaluate the lengths of time for fungi to cause urinary tract infection (UTI) and to identify predictors of fungal UTI in burn patients with long-term Foley catheters.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 93 patients who did not have infection at the time of admission but later had fugal UTI were evaluated. Urinalysis, urine culture, and Foley catheter indwelling were done at admission. All patients were administered prophylactic antibiotics from admission. Urine cultures were run every week, and catheters were changed every 2 weeks for each patient.
Results:
Three of the 93 patients (3.2%) displayed fungal UTI at the 1st week of catheter indwelling. However, most patients (78.5%) displayed fungal UTI from 2nd to 5th week after catheter indwelling. The most prevalent fungus identified was Candida tropicalis (60.2%). By univariate logistic regression analysis, only the total body surface area burned (TBSAB) was predictive of fungal UTI in burn patients (p=0.010). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, underlying disease (p=0.032) and TBSAB (p=0.036) were predictors of fungal UTI. Patients with higher TBSAB were more likely to display shorter intervals from Foley catheterization to fungal UTI.
Conclusions:
Fungal UTI was initially found at the 1st week of urinary catheter indwelling, but the majority of cases occurred after the 1st week and appeared earlier in patients with underlying disease or higher TBSAB. Underlying disease and TBSAB were predictors of early fungal UTI.
Insights
Fungal urinary tract infections (UTIs) in burn patients with Foley catheters often occur between weeks 2-5. Underlying disease and total body surface area burned (TBSAB) predict early fungal UTI.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Burn Care
Background:
- Fungal colonization is common in urine of patients with long-term Foley catheters.
- Burn patients with long-term urinary catheterization are at risk for fungal urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the time course of fungal UTIs in burn patients with long-term Foley catheters.
- To identify predictors of early fungal UTI in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of 93 burn patients who developed fungal UTI.
- Weekly urinalysis and urine cultures were performed.
- Foley catheters were changed every two weeks.
Main Results:
- 3.2% of patients developed fungal UTI in the first week of catheterization.
- 78.5% of fungal UTIs occurred between weeks 2 and 5.
- Candida tropicalis was the most common fungus (60.2%).
- Underlying disease and total body surface area burned (TBSAB) were significant predictors of fungal UTI.
Conclusions:
- Fungal UTIs can occur as early as the first week of catheterization.
- The majority of fungal UTIs manifest after the first week.
- Higher TBSAB and underlying disease are associated with earlier onset of fungal UTI.
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