Abstract:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, but Candida species
are increasingly identified among hospitalized patients with risk factors such as
prolonged stay, antibiotic use, catheterization, and immunosuppression. Antifungal
resistance in Candida species has complicated patient management. A limited
number of studies have been conducted in Sri Lanka related to this study.
Objectives: This study determines the prevalence of Candida species causing UTIs
among patients admitted to the Medical wards of the Teaching Hospital, Jaffna.
Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 271 patients
suspected of UTIs. Based on a convenient sampling technique, participants were
selected. Mid-stream urine and catheterized urine samples were processed in the
Microbiology Laboratory. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20 by chi-square
tests (p < 0.05).
Results: The results revealed a prevalence of 12.2%. Out of 271 participants, 33
(12.2%) were positive for Candida species. Candida albicans (48.5%) is the most
predominant species, which is consistent with other studies. Followed by Candida
glabrata (24.2%), Candida krusei (21.2%), and Candida tropicalis (6.1%). Females
had a significantly higher prevalence compared to males (p=0.005), and prevalence
was higher among patients above 60 years (p=0.082).
Conclusions: While Candida albicans is still predominant, the increasing presence
of non-albicans species highlights the importance of routine species–level
identification.
