Speciation and Antifungal Susceptibility pattern of urinary Candida isolates from catheterized patients admitted in ICU in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Theni

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Candida species pose a significant challenge in healthcare settings, particularly among catheterized patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). This prospective study, done at a tertiary care hospital in Theni, sought to investigate the speciation and antifungal susceptibility patterns of urinary Candida isolates from catheterized ICU patients. Over the course of one year, 56 Candida isolates were isolated from catheterized urine samples. Candida albicans had the highest prevalence (54%) followed by Candida tropicalis (23%), Candida parapsilosis (14%), Candida glabrata (7%) and Candida krusei (2%). Antifungal susceptibility testing found variable sensitivity and resistance patterns among Candida species, with Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis being more sensitive to routinely used antifungal drugs than Candida glabrata and Candida krusei. These findings highlight the significance of species-level identification and susceptibility testing in guiding empirical antifungal medication and improving patient care. Continuous monitoring of antifungal resistance trends is critical for informing treatment plans and reducing the probability of therapeutic failure in nosocomial Candida infections.