ISSN: 2689-7822
Authors: Unegbu V*, Okoronkwo CU, Obum-Nnadi CN and Ezenwa CM
Background: Candida species are reportedly the most common human fungal pathogens. The incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Candida pathogens has increased in recent decades. However, such infections rarely occur in the absence of any predisposing factors. Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify the Candida species causing UTIs and to determine the antifungal resistance among Candida species from the genitourinary tracts. Methods: Five hundred (500) midstream urine samples were collected between January 2021 to January, 2022 from male and female patients clinically diagnosed of genitourinary tract infection and inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Isolates from SDA were plated on CHROMagar to ensure detection of mixed cultures. Germ tube and carbohydrate assimilation tests performed were necessary for isolate identification. Susceptibility testing was carried on the isolates using broth dilution method. Results: Distribution of Candida species among different age groups showed the highest incidence in age brackets 30-45, followed by 45-60, while the ages of 0-15 had the least. The occurrence rate of Candida species were as follows: Candida albicans 173(65.5%), Candida glabrata 61(23.1%), Candida krusei 19(7.2%) and Candida tropicalis 11(4.2%). High rate of susceptibility was observed for each isolate against fluconazole (92.0%) and ketoconazole (93.9%). The resistance rate was low for fluconazole (8.0%) and ketoconazole (1.2%). Conclusions: These results incriminated C. albicans as the most common Candida species causing genitourinary tract infection in women. This surveillance study has established fluconazole and ketoconazole as very effective antifungal agents for the treatment of genitourinanry tract infections caused by Candida species.
Keywords: Urinary Tract Infections; Candida albicans; Candida glabrata; Fluconazole; Ketoconazole
