Persistence of candiduria in ICU catheterized patients is not linked to adherence and proteolytic activities of Candida strains.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the patients who developed asymptomatic candiduria in the intensive care unit were followed prospectively for the persistence of candiduria after the replacement of indwelling urethral catheter and the correlation between persistence and virulence factors (proteinase enzyme activity and epithelial adhesion) was assessed.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Intensive care unit and mycology laboratory at a university hospital.

PATIENTS: Thirty-four patients with asymptomatic candiduria were included in the study.

RESULTS

Candiduria persisted in 19 of 34 patients(56%; group 1) and cleared in 15 of 34 patients(44%; group 2) after urinary catheters were changed. When the virulence factors (epithelial adhesion and proteinase activity) and distribution of Candida spp. were compared between two groups, no statistically significant correlation was found.

CONCLUSION

The host immune response might be more important than virulence factors of Candida spp. for persistence of candiduria.