Risk Factors for Hospital-Acquired Urinary Tract Infection due to Candida Species

Kim, Tae Hyoung; Chung, Dae Sung; Lee, Mi Kyung

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although an increase of candiduria among hospitalized patients has been reported, the significance of the presence of Candida spp. in the urine of patients is not clearly understood.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Candida spp. in patients with hospital-acquired urinary tract infection (HAUTI) and their risk factors.
METHODS
Retrospective studies of patients with urinary tract infection were conducted during the period from January 2003 to December 2005. Medical records of patients were reviewed and 185 patients were diagnosed with HAUTI by Candida spp.
RESULTS
The predominant species were C. tropicalis (46.5%), followed by C. albicans (29.2%) and C. glabrata (17.3%). The commonest coexisting risk factors in patients with HAUTI by Candida spp. were antibiotic therapy (96.2%) and indwelling urinary catheters (92.4%). Female gender, long hospital day, antifungal therapy and leukocytosis were specifically associated with C. glabrata but not with C. albicans HAUTI. On the other hand, operation history was associated with C. tropicalis but not with C. albicans HAUTI.
CONCLUSION
We demonstrated that the risk factors for HAUTI differ according to Candida species. There is an need for continuous surveillance of HAUTI by Candida spp. and proper control of the risk factors for the development of HAUTI.