Asymptomatic Candiduria and species identification in Diabetic patients

Introduction Infections due to Candida species and other fungi have increased dramatically in recent years. Diabetic patients are more prone to develop fungal infections, because of impaired cell mediated immunity. Materials and Methods A total of 106 urine samples were collected from asymptomatic diabetic patients and inoculated on Sabourauds Dextrose Agar. Speciation was done by Germ tube test, Hichrome agar, morphology on Corn meal with Tween 80, growth at 42 C and sugar assimilation test. Anti fungal susceptibility testing was done by disk diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines. Results Among the 106 urine samples 30 (28) were culture positive. Among them, 10 (33) C.albicans and 20 (67) non-albicans Candida were isolated. All isolates were sensitive to Amphotericin B and Voriconazole. Conclusion All chronic asymptomatic diabetic patients need to be screened for Candiduria. Hichrome agar can be used for rapid, presumptive identification of Candida species