Molecular Identification, Virulence Factors and Antifungal Resistance among Pichia kudriavzevii Isolated from Urine of Patients on Catheter

Pichia kudriavzevii is commonly used in food processing, its association with human infection is very rare. In the few cases where it has been reported, it is rarely present in healthy individuals. This study investigated the incidence of Pichia kudriavzevii among patients on catheter in a tertiary institution in Ekiti State. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic data of the patients. Fifty-six non-repeat catheterized urine samples were collected from consented patients and both pathogenic factors and antifun¬gal resistance were determined among the Pichia kudriavzevii isolated. Out of the 56 urine samples tested, 15 (26.8%) were positive for P. kudriavzevii while 31 (73.2%) showed growth of other fungi, mostly of the genus Candida. Out of the antifungal agents tested against P. kudriavzevii, ketoconazole [n=11 (73.3%)] was the most effective followed by clotrimazole [n=7 (46.7%)] and nystatin [n=6 (40%)]. According to the outcomes of the present study, P. kudriavzevii appears to be associated with urinary catheter and with many virulence factors. The isolates were also resistant to first-line antifungal drugs in addition to the virulence factors. This yeast may emerge as another fungal pathogen especially among immunocompromised.