Abstract:

Background: Urinary Tract infection is the infection which involves any part of the urinary system. This infection had shown to be more common in females than in males. Most candidiuric patients have multiple predisposing factors, like diabetes mellitus, indwelling urinary catheters, and exposure to antimicrobials, poor genital hygiene, etc. candida spp such as candida albicans are the commonest organisms which cause urinary tract infection especially in adult patients. Other spp that cause genitourinary candidiasis are candida glabrata, candida Krusei, candida Tropicalis, candida lusitaniae, and candida parapsilosis.

Objectives: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated factors of Candida spp isolates among patients presenting with symptoms of urinary tract infections at zonal referral hospital (Bugando medical centre), regional referral hospital (Sekou Toure), and district hospital (Nyamagana) Makongoro hospital.

Methodology: A cross sectional hospital based study enrolled 1258 symptomatic UTI patients in Mwanza. Collection of urine specimen was done by using sterile transparent containers and then transported to CUHAS Microbiology laboratory for processing. Culture was done on blood agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar, identification of candida spp. carried out on chromogenic media.

Results: The median age of enrolled patients was 23 ± (21-30) years. Among 1258 patients from Bugando medical centre, Nyamagana Sekou Toure, and Makongoro health centre recruited in this study, only 26 (4.4%) women patients had significant candiduria. The most predominant candida spp. detected was candida albicans 10 (38.5%). Others were C Krusei 9 (34.7%), Tropicalis 5 (19.2%) and C. glabrata 2 (8%).

Conclusion and recommendations: The results in this study suggest that the prevalence of urinary candidiasis is low. There is a need for emphasizing the current control measures across the country.