DETERMINANTS OF CANDIDURIA AMONG HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN...

Candiduria, though often innocuous, may be an indication of invasive or disseminated Candida infection necessitating further investigation and therapeutic intervention. This study determined the prevalence of candiduria, the species ofCandida and factors that predict the presence of candiduria among hospitalized patients with urinary tract infections (UTI).

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 consenting hospitalized adult patients with UTI at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State from April 2020 - January 2021. Urine samples were examined microscopically, cultured on supplemented Sabouraud dextrose agar andCandida species were identified by microscopy, germ tube test and CHROMagar Candida. Chi-square test was used to identify factors associated with candiduria.

The age range of participants was 18-80 years (mean 44.5±19 years) while the male to female ratio was 1:1.4. About 80% had a history of recent antibiotics, 26% were on catheter, and 3.2% were known diabetics. The prevalence of candiduria was 16.4% and the most common species of Candida wasC. albicans (83%), while the others wereC. krusei. Candiduria was significantly higher (p<0.05) among patients with history of antibiotic use, indwelling urinary catheter, prolonged catheterization and surgical procedures while the elderly age, long duration of admission, and male gender had higher prevalence, but no statistically significant associations.

Candiduria among this population is high and associated mostly with antibiotics use, catheterization, long duration of catheter use and surgical procedures. In addition to limiting antibiotic consumption, urethral catheterization and its duration, we recommend that patients with UTI who are at high risk of developing candiduria should be assessed for its presence to identify those who will benefit from treatment.