The impact of Candida isolation in sputum cultures on the clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings of pneumonia

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aims to investigate the clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings of community-acquired pneumonia cases with reported Candida growth in sputum cultures and the impact of this condition on prognosis. METHODS: Clinical-demographic, radiological, and laboratory features, CURB-65 (Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, age >= 65 years) and Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), hospitalization duration, and treatment success status of patients admitted with a diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia between December 2021 and January 2024 were recorded. The cases were divided into two groups: Group 1, consisting of cases with only bacterial growth in sputum cultures, and Group 2, consisting of cases with Candida growth, either alone or in combination with bacterial agents. The data of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The study included a total of 86 cases, with a median age of 74 years (range: 19-97), of which 35 (40.7%) were female. There were 41 cases (47.7%) in Group 1 and 45 cases (52.3%) in Group 2. In Group 2, it was observed that the cases were predominantly older and female, with a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the laboratory and radiological features, CURB65, and PSI index scores between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The impact of Candida growth in sputum cultures on the clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings, as well as the prognosis of community-acquired pneumonia cases, is not definitively known.