European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

YEASTS COLONIZATION OF LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

Omua Evelyn Oladugba*, Helen Oroboghae Ogefere and Edirin Omonigho Yusuf

ABSTRACT

Yeast colonization of the lower respiratory tract is on the increase. This study aimed to determine prevalence of yeast lower respiratory tract colonization, speciate the recovered yeast isolates and determine their susceptibility profile. A total of 248 sputum specimens were collected from patients with signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. The sputum specimens were processed to recover yeast isolates. The yeast isolates were identified and speciated using morphological, biochemical techniques as well as growth on CHROMagar TM candida. Susceptibility test was performed using agar diffusion method. The prevalence of yeasts colonization was 32.66%. Age and gender did not significantly affect the prevalence (P = 0.765) and (P = 0.1478) respectively. In – patients were significantly more at risk of yeast colonization (OR 9.127, 95% CI = 2.498, 33.350; P = 0.0003). The most predominant yeast species recovered was Candida albicans with a prevalence of 78.31%. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2.41%) was recovered from both male and female patients. The polyenes were the most active antifungal agents, while the azoles were the least active Routine surveillance for the colonization of yeast in lower respiratory tract and prudent use of antifungal agents is advocated.

Keywords: Yeast, lower respiratory tract.