EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF CANDIDURIA BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION IN HIGH-RISK PATIENTS

Purpose: Polymerase chain reaction amplification of Candida albicans d eoxyribonucleic acid was evaluated as a diagnostic tool for candiduria . Materials and Methods:Urine from 120 patients was tested for C. albi cans 158 base pair deoxyribonucleic acid by polymerase chain reaction. The study groups included 30 patients with positive urine cultures, 6 0 critically ill patients and 30 healthy volunteers. Results: All pati ents with proved candiduria had a positive polymerase chain reaction, Of the 60 critically ill patients 5 (8.3%) had a positive polymerase c hain reaction for C. albicans 24 to 48 hours before identification wit h routine fungal culture. No healthy volunteer had a positive polymera se chain reaction. Conclusions: Polymerase chain reaction amplificatio n is an effective laboratory tool for the early diagnosis of candiduri a.