Abstract
A Catheter-associated candidiasis infection is the most common nosocomial infection and the objective of this work is to study the isolation and identification of Candida species from catheterized urine specimens among male and female patients. One hundred and thirty five catheterized urine samples were obtained from out and in patients, attending Ramadi general and teaching Hospital clinic during the period October 2011 to April 2012. A quantitative urine culture was used for isolation and identification of Candida species on selective media with antibiotics as Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. The identification of Candida species is based upon a combination of morphological and biochemical criteria as germ tube test and API 20 candida. Out of the one hundred and thirty five catheterized urine specimens from male and female patients were examined. Candida spp. was isolated from 92 patients, among the 52 female and 40 male patients. The isolated Candida spp. were 26 (40.0%) C. albicans among female patients and 20 (36.4%) among male patients. Different age groups conducted in these work ranging from 20-89 years old and classified into seven age groups. Out of the 92 male and female who had candidiasis 21 (22.8%); 10 (10.8%) were diabetic patients among female and male, and 59 (64.1%), 28 (30.4%) were using antibiotic among female and male. Chi–square test was used in the present work for statistical analysis. The work suggested that candidiasis is the most common nosocomial infection among patients with catheter.

Key words: Candidiasis, Candida albicans, Catheterized urine specimens