The Significance of Funguria in Hospitalized Patients

The Significance of Funguria in Hospitalized Patients (FACES)

This investigation is a epidemiologic case-control study of the risk factors associated with nosocomial funguria (fungi in the urine).

A recent large multi-center national surveillance survey of almost 5000 nosocomial (hospital based) urine isolates from medical intensive care units demonstrated that fungi comprised nearly 40% of urine isolates. Little is known about distinguishing fungi that cause colonization from those causing infection.

The objective of this study is to define the epidemiology of nosocomial funguria and natural history of patients that develop funguria while hospitalized.

Patients who may have eligible for this study will be identified from microbiology laboratory specimens at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients hospitalized at least 12 hours of any age (< 1 day to > 100 years of age) AND a urine or blood culture positive for fungi, OR urine culture negative for fungi (control group)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients already surveyed for funguria during current hospitalization and patients already being followed for recognized funguria