Catheterization: A Major Predisposing Factor for Candida Infection

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to Candida albicans are increasingly being described in a variety of clinical situations, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs).The present study was undertaken to determine the incidence of candiduria in catheterized patients of ICU. The present study was carried out for a period of 1 year on 110 urine samples. Identifi cation of Candida species was done by direct microscopy, culture, Gram's stain, germ tube formation, Chlamydospore formation on corn meal agar, sugar fermentation test and growth on CHROM agar. From 110 urethral catheterized patients, yeast was detected only in 39 (35.45%) patients. C. albicans in 24 (61.53%) patients was the commonest isolate followed by C. dubliniesis in 7 (17.74%), C. glabrata in 6 (15.38%) and C. tropicalis in 2 (10.25%) patients. In the present study, the rate of the infection was directly proportional to the number of days during which the catheter was present in a patient. Efforts to reduce the incidence of infection must begin with reduction of the frequency, duration of catheterization, aseptic insertion of the catheter and careful maintenance of the drainage system.