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Updated: May 1, 2026
An In Vitro Bladder Model of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
Published on: June 24, 2025
Profile of yeasts isolated from urinary tracts of catheterized patients
Meena Mishra1, Seema Agrawal1, Sharmila Raut2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College , Nagpur, Maharashtra, India .
Purpose:
Nosocomial fungal infections are important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospital patients. Urinary catheters have been held responsible to cause a large number of hospital acquired Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of nosocomial Candiduria associated with in dwelling urinary catheters, to characterize the species and assess their resistance to antifungal agents.
Materials & Methods:
Urine specimens from 510 catheterized patients were inoculated on Sabauraud Dextrose Agar; the species identification of Candida isolates was done by biochemical tests and antifungal susceptibility testing was done by disc diffusion method.
Results:
Candida was isolated in 112 (21.96%) specimens. Of these, Candida albicans was commonly isolated in 50.89% followed by C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. guillermondi and C. pseudotropicalis. Fluconazole resistance was encountered in some isolates. All C. glabrata and C. krusei were uniformly resistant to fluconazole and 8 of 16 C. tropicalis were also resistant to it. But only 7 of 57 isolates of C. albicans were resistant to it. Resistance to Nystatin was seen in 34 isolates. Similarly, emergence of resistance was also seen to Ketoconazole and Itraconazole in 24 of 112 isolates. Amphoterecin B resistance was exhibited by 3 C. albicans, 2 C. tropicalis, 1 C. glabrata and 1 C. krusei strain. C. albicans is an important nosocomial pathogen causing UTI in catheterized patients, nevertheless role of other species of Candida as emergent pathogens and resistance to antifungal drugs needs to be emphasized.
Insights
Nosocomial fungal infections, particularly Candiduria in catheterized patients, are a significant concern. This study found Candida species in 21.96% of specimens, with emerging antifungal resistance highlighting the need for vigilance.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Nosocomial fungal infections contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality.
- Urinary catheters are a common source of hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of nosocomial Candiduria in patients with indwelling urinary catheters.
- To identify the Candida species causing these infections.
- To assess the antifungal resistance patterns of the isolated Candida species.
Main Methods:
- Urine specimens from 510 catheterized patients were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar.
- Candida species were identified using biochemical tests.
- Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the disc diffusion method.
Main Results:
- Candida was isolated from 112 (21.96%) specimens.
- Candida albicans was the most frequent isolate (50.89%), followed by other species including C. tropicalis and C. glabrata.
- Resistance to fluconazole, nystatin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B was observed in various Candida species, with notable resistance in C. glabrata and C. krusei to fluconazole.
Conclusions:
- Candida albicans is a primary cause of nosocomial UTIs in catheterized patients.
- Non-albicans Candida species are emerging pathogens in this setting.
- The study highlights the growing challenge of antifungal drug resistance in nosocomial candiduria.
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