Abstract
Background: A broad variety of fungi, especially Candida species, are becoming increasingly common causes of urinary tract infections
in hospital settings.
Objectives: The current cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to determine the causative agents, risk factors and incidence rate of
candiduria in critically ill patients, hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) of four Iranian hospitals.
Patients and Methods: A total of 155 children and adult patients, admitted to ICUs of the four university educational hospitals, who
demonstrated Candida-positive urine cultures, were examined. Samples were processed via mycological procedures by direct microscopy
and culture.
Results: Candiduria was confirmed in 50 (32.26 %) patients and Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species representing
60.0% of isolates, followed by 14.0% C. glabrata, 12.0% C. parapsilosis, 10.0% C. krusei, and 4.0% C. tropicalis. Most patients were female (58%) with
a mean age of 46.7 years old. Generally, 39.7% and 62% of adults and children showed candiduria, respectively. The commonest predisposing
factors were antibiotic therapy (98.0%), urinary catheterization (92.0%), corticotherapy (84.0%), being female (42.6 %), use of feeding tube
(56%), and extended hospitalization, respectively.
Conclusions: The high frequency of candiduria in ICU patients can be decreased by shortening the duration of urinary catheterization,
avoiding extra antibiotics and corticosteroids, as well as controlling the predisposing factors and underlying conditions.