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Updated: Feb 15, 2026
Generation of Fluorescent Protein Fusions in Candida Species
Published on: March 4, 2017
Molecular identification of Candida species from urinary infections in Honduras
Bryan Ortiz1, Erika Pérez-Alemán1, Carmen Galo1
1Microbiology School, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH), Ciudad Universitaria, Building J1, 4th Fl. Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Background:
Candiduria is a common infection among hospitalised patients. Although the clinical relevance of yeasts in urine is not clearly defined, fungal urinary tract infections have increased significantly in the last decades, becoming a growing public health problem. Candida albicans is the most commonly reported species in urinary infections, although other species of the genus are becoming particularly important, because some of them are linked with resistance to antifungal drugs.
Aims:
This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of Candida species causing candiduria in a hospital in Honduras.
Methods:
A simple and cost-effective PCR-RFLP approach was used, by amplifying a partial sequence of the ribosomal ITS1-ITS2 region and a subsequent digestion with the enzyme MspI.
Results:
During 2016, an analysis was performed on 73 urine samples from patients of different ages. Seven species were found. Candida albicans/dubliniensis was the most frequent species (30%); Candida glabrata (28.8%) was the most isolated among the rest of the species. Candida kefyr was the least frequent species found (2.5%).
Conclusions:
This study shows, for the first time in Honduras, the frequency of the Candida species isolated from urine using PCR-RFLP for their identification. This approach could be applied in future epidemiological studies at local and national level.
Insights
This study identified seven Candida species in Honduran urine samples, with Candida albicans/dubliniensis and Candida glabrata being the most frequent. This research provides crucial data on fungal urinary tract infections in the region.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Candiduria, a common hospital-acquired infection, represents a growing public health concern due to increasing fungal urinary tract infections.
- While Candida albicans is prevalent, other Candida species are emerging, some exhibiting antifungal resistance.
- The clinical significance of yeast in urine requires further definition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of different Candida species causing candiduria in a Honduran hospital.
- To establish a baseline for fungal species distribution in urinary infections in Honduras.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a cost-effective Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.
- Amplified the ribosomal ITS1-ITS2 region for species identification.
- Employed MspI enzyme digestion for fragment analysis.
Main Results:
- Seven Candida species were identified in 73 urine samples analyzed in 2016.
- Candida albicans/dubliniensis was the most common species (30%), followed closely by Candida glabrata (28.8%).
- Candida kefyr was the least frequent isolate (2.5%).
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first PCR-RFLP-based identification of Candida species causing candiduria in Honduras.
- The PCR-RFLP method is a viable tool for future local and national epidemiological studies of candiduria.
- Understanding the spectrum of Candida species is vital for managing antifungal resistance and treatment strategies.
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