Epidemiology of fungal urinary tract infections: A retrospective case series

Fungal urinary tract infections (FUTIs) are a growing concern among hospitalized patients, with Candida albicans being the most common causative agent. The aim of this case series was to describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of FUTIs in patients admitted to a key hospital in the Madinah region.

This retrospective observational study used data from all hospitalized patients with positive urine cultures for fungal infections accompanied by clinical symptoms at King Fahd Hospital between June 2016 and October 2019. Patient demographics, clinical comorbidities, and microbiological data were collected for analysis.

During the study period, 46 patients with confirmed FUTIs were identified from 87,447 admissions. There was a dramatic increase in the number of cases every year. C. albicans was the most frequently isolated organism, accounting for 86.9 % cases. Renal disease was the most prevalent comorbidity.

This case series highlights the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with confirmed FUTIs, providing valuable insights into the increasing burden of these infections in hospital settings. The findings underscore the importance of understanding risk factors and the need for continuous surveillance to inform clinical practice and guide prompt and effective intervention.