BACKGROUND Pediatric candiduria is a frequently overlooked manifestation of healthcare-associated fungal infections. Candida species are increasingly being identified in the urine of neonates and infants, with non-albicans Candida (NAC) species being more prevalent than Candida albicans . AIM To determine the rate of Candida species isolation among pediatric patients with suspected urinary tract infections (UTI) at a tertiary care hospital. METHODS A total of 436 children with a clinical suspicion of UTI were enrolled in this laboratory-based descriptive observational study. The samples were then subjected to urine mounting and subcultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Candida isolates were identified based on the color of the colonies on CHROM agar, Dalmau plate culture, and germ tube formation. The results were confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, followed by Antifungal susceptibility testing using Vitek® 2 AST-YS07 cards. RESULTS A total of 79 Candida isolates (18.12%) were identified. Of these, 39 (49.37%) were neonates, with a male-to-female ratio of 3.39:1. The intensive care unit (ICU) recorded 52 patients (65.82%). Of the 79 patients, 57 (72.15%) received broad-spectrum antibiotics for more than 7 days. Our study revealed a higher prevalence of NAC species, with Candida tropicalis accounting for 34 cases (43.04%). Amphotericin B showed the highest susceptibility, with 68 isolates (86.08%) being susceptible to this Antifungal agent. CONCLUSION Pediatric patients with Candiduria present atypical and vague symptoms. This may be the initial symptom of disseminated Candidiasis in the presence of predisposing factors. Isolation of these pathogens, along with their Antifungal susceptibility patterns, aids in a better prognosis.
Choudhary et al. (Fri,) studied this question.