Introduction: Urinary candiasis is common in hospitalized patients. Candiduria may be a result of colonization or infection of urinary tract. The differentiation can be made on basis of presence of pyuria and significant urinary colony counts. Symptomatic patients with associated risk factors are more prone to increased morbidity and mortality. Rampant use of anti-fungals in asymptomatic patients have resulted in development of resistant candida strains. This study was aimed to identify the candida species in urinary specimens and determine their anti-fungal susceptibility pattern.

Materials and Methods: A total of 125 urinary samples received for mycological investigation were included in the study. Identification of candida till species level was done using routine methods. Anti-fungal susceptibility was carried out for fluconazole and amphotericin B using micro broth dilution technique.

Results: Candida albicans (44.2%) was the commonest species which was isolated followed by Candida tropicalis (40.3%). Predominately, isolates were obtained from ICU setup (49.3%). Prolonged use of antibiotics was most common associated risk factor followed by catheterization. Candida isolates were more susceptible to amphotericin B than fluconazole.

Conclusions: Differentiation form colonization and species identification is important because of rise in more resistant non albicans candida. Association of candiduria with risk factors play an important role in defining the treatment protocol. Anti-fungal susceptibility testing have direct impact on patient care.

Keywords: Urinary tract infection, candida, antifungal susceptibility test.

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Swati Dilip Gupta

Department of Microbiology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India

(M) 7387306968, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.