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 combi-nation 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, CURB-65, 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. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.