Molecular identification of Candida species isolated from candiduria and its risk factors in neonates and children

The present study was performed to raise attention on thefrequency of Candida spp. and evaluation of risk factors of candiduria in neonates andchildren.

In total, 60 urine samples were collected from the suspectedneonates and children. Identification of Candida at species level was performed usingthe polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism approach.

The restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprint analysis revealedthat Candida parapsilosis (n=17; 28.33 %) is the most prevalent isolated speciesfollowed by Candida albicans (n=9; 15%), Candida tropicalis (n=4; 9.52%), and C.glabrata (n=2; 4.76%). All of the C. albicans and C. parapsilosis complex strains wereidentified as C. albicans with HWP1 gene primers and using the NlaIII restrictionenzyme activity, respectively. In this study, none of the mentioned factors was the causeof infection, but they could be considered risk factors. The mean hospital stay was 21days (range: 7-21 days). More than 90% of the patients had a urinary catheter, and about26% of them received antibiotics. Regarding the risk factors, there was no significantdifference between the two groups of candidiasis in terms of C. albicans and nonalbicans Candida (P<0.01).

Candiduria has always been a challenging issue, especially in childrenadmitted to hospitals. Outcome of candiduria in patients with generally healthy is little.