Retrospective Analysis OfUrinary Tract Infection Caused By Candida Species In A Tertiary Care Hospital

Background-Candida infections in the urinary system are considered the most common fungal infections.Immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to this infection and it can cause a life-threatening complication.Candida albicans is most common isolate in Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), but in recent years this is shifting to nonalbicans groups.The emergence of drug resistance in Candida spp.has complicated the patient management.Material and methods-In this study, data was collected retrospectively from Department of Microbiology in a Tertiary Care hospital from January 2022-May 2024.Patients belonging to all age groups were included in the study.Urine samples were inoculated on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar slants with and without Chloramphenicol.A wet mount preparation was also made and examined for the presence of pus cells, yeast cells, pseudohyphae, etc. Yeast was further identified by using germ tube, Chromogenic agar, and chlamydospore formation and carbohydrate assimilation tests.Results-Total urine specimens received over period of study were 193.Out of which 75 (38.86%)were positive for Candida spp.Females 41 (54.66%) has outnumbered male 34 (45.33%)cases.Percentage of patients in ICU 44 (58.66%) are more as compare to non-ICU 31 (41.33%).In this study, C. albicans has 45 (56%) outnumbered non-albicans Candida (NAC) spp.29 (38.66%) in patients with UTI.Conclusion-Often Candida isolated from urine is ignored as commensal or contaminant, but candiduria in critically ill patients with co morbidities & presence of pus cells on Gram's stain should be considered as potential markers for invasive candidiasis.In order to prevent the spread of infections, therapeutic interventions for patients must always be tailored to their specific needs, taking into account their underlying risk factors and the severity of their condition.