Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Published on: July 1, 2020
Candiduria in hospitalized patients in teaching hospitals of Ahvaz
A Zarei-Mahmoudabadi1, M Zarrin, F Ghanatir
1Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran ; Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Centre, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Background And Objectives:
Nosocomial infections are usually acquired during hospitalization. Fungal infection of the urinary tract is increasing due to predisposing factors such as; antibacterial agents, indwelling urinary catheters, diabetes mellitus, long hospitalization, immunosuppressive agents, use of IV catheters, radiation therapy, malignancy. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of candiduria and urinary tract infection in patients admitted in Golestan and Emam Khomeini hospitals of Ahvaz, Iran.
Materials And Methods:
During 14 months, a total of 744 urine samples were collected and transferred to medical mycology laboratory immediately. Ten µl of uncentrifuged sample was cultured on CHROM agar Candida plates and incubated at 37°C for 24-48h aerobically. Candida species were identified based on colony morphology on CHROM agar Candida, germ tube production and micro-morphology on corn meal agar including 1% Tween 80.
Results:
In the present study, 744 hospitalized patients were sampled (49.5%, female; 50.5%, male). The prevalence of candiduria in subjects was 16.5% that included 65.1% female and 34.9% male. The most common isolates were C. albicans (53.3%), followed by C. glabrata (24.4%), C. tropicalis (3.7%), C. krusei (2.2%), and Geotrichum spp. (0.7%) Urine cultures yielded more than 10,000 yeast colonies in 34.1% of cases, and the major predisposing factor associated with candiduria was antibiotic therapy (69.1%).
Conclusion:
Candiduria is relatively common in hospitalized patients in educational hospitals of Ahvaz. In addition, there is a strong correlation between the incidence of candiduria in hospitalized patients and broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy.
Insights
Candiduria, a fungal urinary tract infection, is common in hospitalized patients. Antibiotic therapy is a major factor contributing to its incidence, highlighting the need for careful antimicrobial use.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Nosocomial fungal urinary tract infections (UTIs) are increasing.
- Predisposing factors include indwelling catheters, diabetes, immunosuppression, and broad-spectrum antibiotic use.
- Candiduria prevalence in hospitalized patients in Ahvaz, Iran, was investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of candiduria.
- To identify common Candida species causing UTIs.
- To correlate predisposing factors with candiduria incidence.
Main Methods:
- 744 urine samples from hospitalized patients were collected over 14 months.
- Samples were cultured on CHROM agar Candida for yeast identification.
- Candida species were identified using colony morphology, germ tube tests, and corn meal agar.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of candiduria was 16.5% (65.1% female, 34.9% male).
- Candida albicans (53.3%) was the most common isolate, followed by C. glabrata (24.4%).
- Antibiotic therapy was the major predisposing factor (69.1%).
Conclusions:
- Candiduria is relatively common in hospitalized patients in Ahvaz.
- A strong correlation exists between candiduria and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.
- This emphasizes the importance of judicious antibiotic use in healthcare settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:28Hospitals-I
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
00:59Hospitals-II
Nurses that work in hospitals have...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
01:28Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol abuse, or...