The frequency of candiduria in hospitalized patients with depressive syndrome

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infection among hospitalized patients and have been increased during the recent decades (1). Out of several microorganisms that are associated to UTIs including, yeasts are one of the most important organism that cause UTIs. The presence of Candida species in urine is considered as candiduria and it is varying from asymptomatic candiduria to clinical sepsis (2) and its incidence rate varies in different reports from different areas (2-5). Several predisposing factors are related to disease including; immunodeficiency, long term stay in hospital, hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), long term antibiotic therapy, elderly age, previous surgery, using indwelling catheters, urinary tract abnormalities, leukemia, bone marrow transplant and hemodialysis patients (4-9). Depressive syndrome (DS) is a state of being depressed marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration. In addition a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection, hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide were seen. Although Candida species especially Candida albicans are as a part of human normal flora, candiduria is rarely presented in healthy individuals. Candiduria is most commonly caused by C. albicans followed by C. glabrata and C. tropicalis. However, non-albicans species; such as C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. lusitaniae, C. guilliermondii and C. krusei was increased during last decades (3-5,10). The aim of present study was to identify and compare the presence of candiduria in patients with depressive syndrome with healthy individuals in two Salamat and Boustan hospitals affiliated to Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (AJUMS). In the present study all of the 131 (111 male and 20 female) patients with depressive syndrome hospitalized in mentioned hospitals were sampled. All patients were received several drugs including; antidepressant drugs (Amitriptylin), antipsychotic drugs (Haloperidol, Fentazin, Largactil), atypical antipsychotic (Risperidone, Olanzapine), central nervous system stimulants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Sertraline), anticholinergic (Artan, Ipridin) and mood stabilizer (Carbamazepine, lithium carbonate, sodium valproate). In addition 105 healthy individuals (79 male and 26 female) were also sampled as control. The age range of both patients and controls were 20-60 years. Urine samples were collected in sterile urine bottles and Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: Our results shows that, the only long stay in hospital could not affect the prevalence candiduria in patients and other factors are need. In addition using anti depression drugs might be decrease the presence of Candida species in urinary tract.