Prevalence of Candida colonization in neonates with jaundice admitted to the neonatal Intensive Care Unit | ||||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 06 September 2025 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.413653.3107 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Haider A. Ali Alshawi1; Zahraa Hussein Ali2; Zahraa Hussein Abdulateef Ali3; Murtadha Abbas   4
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| 1Forensic Evidences Techniques Department, Najaf Technical Institute, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University,54001 Najaf, Iraq | ||||
| 2Forensic Evidences Techniques Department, Najaf Technical Institute, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, 54001 Najaf, Iraq | ||||
| 3Department of Dental Industry, Najaf Technical Institute, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, 54001 Najaf, Iraq | ||||
| 4Department of public health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Candida species are a significant cause of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Premature and immunocompromised infants are particularly vulnerable to fungal colonization. Neonatal jaundice is a common reason for NICU admission, but the risk of Candida colonization among jaundiced neonates remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the rate of Candida colonization among neonates with jaundice admitted to intensive care, and to describe the colonized sites and potential environmental sources. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done at Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital, Najaf, Iraq from September 2023 to February 2024. Oral swabs were collected from 200 jaundiced neonates and 30 healthy controls. Additional swabs were taken from pacifiers and bottle teats. All samples were cultured on selective media and examined microscopically. Demographic data and clinical risk factors were also collected. Results: Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species, Among the 30 neonates with incidence, 86.9% (n = 26) were colonized. Other species include Candida tropicalis (7.84%), Candida parapsilosis (2.13%), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (4.26%). Overall, colonization among jaundice neonates was 76.5%, compared to 43.3% in non-jaundiced controls (p < 0.001). Pacifier showed the highest colonization rate (83.3%), followed by oral swabs (80%) and bottle teats (53%), Jaundice was the most commonly associated clinical factor (48.37%) (p = 0.0126), followed by antibiotic use and prolonged hospitalization (30.72%), and malnutrition (20.92%) (p = 0.0126). Conclusion: This study identifies a significantly higher rate of Candida colonization in jaundiced neonates. However, the findings reflect colonization and not invasive infection. The presence of Candida species in feeding tools suggests a possible environmental reservoir, emphasizing the importance of hygiene practices in NICUs. Routine surveillance of at-risk neonates may help reduce fungal colonization and its potential complications. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| nosocomial infections; Oral Thrush; C.tropicalis C. albicans; Newborn infection | ||||
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