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

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present study was performed to raise attention on the frequency of Candida spp. and evaluation of risk factors of candiduria in neonates and children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 60 urine samples were collected from the suspected neonates and children. Identification of Candida at species level was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism approach. RESULTS: The restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprint analysis revealed that Candida parapsilosis (n=17; 28.33 %) is the most prevalent isolated species followed 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 were identified as C. albicans with HWP1 gene primers and using the NlaIII restriction enzyme activity, respectively. In this study, none of the mentioned factors was the cause of infection, but they could be considered risk factors. The mean hospital stay was 21 days (range: 7-21 days). More than 90% of the patients had a urinary catheter, and about 26% of them received antibiotics. Regarding the risk factors, there was no significant difference between the two groups of candidiasis in terms of C. albicans and non-albicans Candida (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Candiduria has always been a challenging issue, especially in children admitted to hospitals. Outcome of candiduria in patients with generally healthy is little.