Investigations of carbapenem resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emerging pathogen that has gained attention due to its increased ability to cause infections even in healthy individuals. The aim of this study is to investigate virulence factors in K. pneumoniae strains isolated from clinical specimens and their association with carbapenem resistance. The study was conducted on 260 isolates identified between 2018 and 2023 at the Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital in Rabat, Morocco. The isolates were categorized based on their susceptibility to antibiotics. The hypermucoviscosity was determined by a string test, while the presence of capsular serotypes and virulence genes were identified by PCR. Among our strains, 6.2% (n = 16) exhibited hypervirulent characteristics, 56% were resistant to carbapenem. Notably, 5.7% (n = 6) of carbapenem-resistant isolates expressed the hypermucoviscous phenotype, while 1.5% (n = 2) of carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae isolates exhibited the same trait. In our study, we found that a total of 10 isolates (3.8%) had virulent capsular serotypes, with K2 being the most prevalent 40% (n = 4) and K20 in 30% (n = 3). Furthermore, we detected the presence of the Aerobactin gene in 1.5% (n = 4) of the isolates examined. Based on our findings, it appears that there was no correlation between the presence of virulence factors and carbapenem resistance. In conclusion, identifying hypervirulent K. pneumoniae in clinical specimens and assessing their antibiotic resistance profiles are crucial to ensure effective therapy and to prevent outbreaks.

Genetic alterations in the pmrAB two-component system and lipid A biosynthesis genes of polymyxin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates.

The rate of pandrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains is on the rise in all continents. This bacterium can acquire resistance to all antibiotics, even to colistin. Alterations in the lipid A or/and the two-component pmrAB were earlier detected in colistin resistance. We investigated and analyzed two strains of A. baumannii (ABRC1 and ABRC2) isolated from two patients admitted to intensive care unit with a septic shock. Both strains were resistant to all tested antibiotics including colistin with a MIC >256 mg L-1. Colistin resistance genes (pmrA, pmrB, lpxA, lpxC, lpxD, and lpsB) of two strains (ABRC1 and ABRC2) were investigated by PCR and sequencing. Obtained nucleic acid sequences were aligned with reference sequences of ATCC 19606 and 17987. In this study two amino acid mutations, N287D in the lpxC gene and E117K in the lpxD gene, were detected in both ABRC1 and ABRC2 strains. ABRC1 had an additional H200L mutation in the pmrA gene. Both colistin resistant strains harbored the same A138T mutation in the pmrB gene. The ABRC2 strain also had an alteration in the kinase domain, specifically an R263S substitution of the histidine kinase domain. Three identical mutations were found in the lpsB gene of both A. baumannii strains: Q216K + H218G + S219E. As a result, a newly deduced protein sequence in both ABRC1 and ABRC2 strains differed from those described in ATCC 17978 and 19606 strains was determined. Colistin resistance is multifactorial in A. baumannii. In our study we detected novel mutations in colistin resistant A. baumannii clinical isolates.

Characterization of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates in a Moroccan hospital.

Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are two pathogens with an important power of adaptation to antibiotics thus, both pose a real public health problem. Our study investigated epidemiological characteristics, antibiotic sensitivity profile and resistance genes of imipenem resistant A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. This was a retrospective study carried out in the bacteriology laboratory of Mohammed V military training hospital, spanning from January 2018 to April 2021. Antibiotic susceptibility was studied by Mueller Hilton agar diffusion method with OXOID® type antibiotic discs and interpreted according to the recommendations of EUCAST 2021. Carbapenemase detection was performed by CarbaNP-test®. The molecular study was performed using conventional PCR. During the study period, we collected 1,072 imipenem-resistant isolates namely, 820 A. baumannii and 252 P. aeruginosa. The molecular study showed that out of 108 A. baumannii isolates 102 carried the bla OXA-51 and 100 isolates carried the bla OXA-23 gene. The coexistence of bla OXA-23 and bla NDM genes was detected in only 4 isolates. Altogether 50% of P. aeruginosa strains carried bla VIM-2. All investigated A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa strains were colistin susceptible in this study. Multiresistant bacterial infections are associated with longer hospitalization, higher hospital costs and higher mortality rates. Therefore, a collective action including the different actors of the healthcare system is necessary.

Evaluation of GeneXpert MTB/RIF system performances in the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis represents a serious public health problem and a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge worldwide. Molecular diagnostic techniques are crucial in the World Health Organization's new tuberculosis control strategy. This study aims to evaluate the performance of GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid Sunnyvale, CA, United States) in diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis then compare it's performance in detecting Rifampicin resistance to GenoType MTBDRplus (HAIN Life Sciences, Nehren, Germany). METHODS: Samples from pulmonary and/or extra-pulmonary origins were analysed in a 21 months retrospective study. Samples were sent to the bacteriology laboratory for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection using conventional bacteriological and molecular methods (GeneXpert MTB/RIF and MTBDRplus). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the stained smear and GeneXpert according to culture (Gold Standard) as well as for GeneXpert MTB/RIF in both negative and positive microscopy tuberculosis cases. Data's statistical analysis was performed with SPSS13.0 software. RESULTS: Seven hundred fourteen patients' samples were analysed; the average age was 47.21 ± 19.98 years with a male predominance (66.4%). Out of 714 samples: 285 were from pulmonary and 429 were from extra-pulmonary origins. The positivity rates for microscopy, GeneXpert MTB/RIF and culture were 12.88, 20.59 and 15.82%, respectively. These rates were 18.9, 23.85 and 20.35% for pulmonary samples and 9.71, 18.41 and 12.82% for extra-pulmonary samples, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of GeneXpert MTB/RIF were almost the same in both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary samples (78.2 and 90.4%) and (79,3 and 90.3%) respectively. Rifampicin resistance rate found by GeneXpert MTB/RIF was 0.84%. Comparison of Rifampicin resistance obtained by GeneXpert MTB/RIF and Genotype MTBDRplus, showed 100% agreement between the two techniques for studied samples. CONCLUSIONS: This confirms GeneXpert MTB/RIF advantage for tuberculosis diagnosis, particularly extra-pulmonary tuberculosis with negatively stained smear. The performance of GeneXpert and Genotype MTBDRplus are similar in detection of Rifampicin resistance. However, variability of detection performance according to tuberculosis endemicity deserves more attention in the choice of screening techniques of Rifampicin resistance, hence the interest of conducting comparative studies of detection performance under low and medium endemicity on large samples of tuberculosis populations.

Interference Rendering Capillary Electrophoresis of Serum Proteins Uninterpretable.

BACKGROUND: The authors report a clinical case where biological interference rendered the electrophoretic trace of serum proteins obtained by capillary electrophoresis as uninterpretable. METHODS: Electrophoresis of serum proteins and immunotyping immunoassay were performed on Capillary 2 Flex Piercing® Sebia. RESULTS: A 72-year-old male patient was hospitalized in the clinical hematology department for deep lymphadenopathies with hepatocellular failure. The biological assessment revealed chronic renal failure stage G3b, icteric cholestasis with alkaline phosphatase levels, and hepatic cytolysis. Electrophoresis of serum proteins showed a thickening at the base of albumin peak on its anodic slope but, in particular, it revealed the appearance of a super-numerary split peak between albumin and α1 globulins. These peaks made it impossible to identify and integrate peaks. Based on the clinical information, immunotyping immunoassay was performed on the same sample. The comparison of the different curves with the reference curve does not show any monoclonal immunoglobulinopathy but eliminates all the supernumerary peaks. Suspecting an interference, a Hydrasys 2 Scan® agarose gel electrophoresis (Sebia) was run on the same sample; however, it did not show qualitative anomalies interfering with identification and integration of all the peaks. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical case emphasizes the importance of the knowledge of certain endogenous interferences that may be the origin of unusual images when interpreting electrophoretic profiles, especially in capillary electrophoresis.

A Case of Dual Septic Foci in Both the Joint and Pleural Cavity Caused by Streptococcus agalactiae.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS or Streptococcus agalactiae) is a common component of the human flora. However, infections in adults are infrequent, and occurrences of infectious pleurisy or septic arthritis are exceedingly uncommon. To our knowledge, the concurrent manifestation of both conditions has not been previously documented. We present the case of a 61-year-old man who exhibited an unusual association of infectious pleurisy and septic arthritis in the knee, both attributed to GBS. The patient was admitted to the hospital due to thoracic pain and discomfort in the left knee. Clinical examination revealed a pleural effusion in the left lung and arthritis in the left knee. Synovial and pleural fluid samples were sent to the bacteriology laboratory for cytobacteriological examination, confirming the presence of GBS in both fluids. The patient is diabetic and has a history of undergoing total cystoprostatectomy for a urothelial tumor, with the placement of a mono J catheter. The prevailing hypothesis suggests that the colonization of the mono J catheter, followed by hematogenous dissemination, is the probable source of the infection. This unusual clinical case underscores GBS's ability to induce severe invasive infections in adults, particularly in those with underlying medical conditions.

Peritoneal tuberculosis, an underestimated diagnosis: a case report.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs, caused by human-to-human transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Peritoneal tuberculosis is an extra-pulmonary form of the disease that usually manifests as an ascitic syndrome, with or without fever, in a context of altered general condition, often in endemic areas. The diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis is not always easy, as the clinical signs are often insidious and unspecific. We report a case of peritoneal tuberculosis in an 18-year-old female, who had presented for 10 days with a progressive increase in abdominal volume associated with vomiting and diarrhoea.

Exceptional association of two species of bacteria causing acute appendicitis: Haemophilus influenzae and Enterobacter cloacae.

Appendicitis, typically caused by appendiceal lumen obstruction, is a prevalent abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. While most cases involve Enterobacterales, Haemophilus influenzae, primarily known for upper respiratory infections, is infrequently associated with gastrointestinal infections. This article presents an exceptional case of acute appendicitis caused by both Haemophilus influenza and Enterobacter cloacae in a 15-year-old child, highlighting the significance of recognizing uncommon pathogens in appendicitis and emphasizing the necessity for thorough microbiological investigations to refine diagnostic approaches.

The occurrence of a fatal tuberculous pancreatic abscess simulating a pancreatic tumor in an immunocompromised patient.

Introduction: Tuberculosis is currently undergoing a worrying recovery in Morocco. It is becoming a tropical disease again and can take deceptive clinical forms and involve unusual localizations. We report a rare case of pancreatic abscess due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in an immunocompromised patient. Case report: The patient was 48 years old and was diagnosed with HIV infection 16 months previously during a systematic check-up. He had no notable pathological history, no notion of tuberculosis contagion and no signs of tuberculosis impregnation, and was admitted for the management of epigastric pain associated with an altered general condition. Abdominal CT scan showed a bulbar perforation and multiple deep necrotic adenopathies of infectious or tumoral origin. Direct examination of the pus with Ziehl Neelsen stain was positive (1-10 BAAR/field). Molecular study using the GeneXpert MTB/RIF technique revealed M. tuberculosis complex without rifampicin resistance. The patient was put on antibacillary treatment based on isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. The patient died of septic shock with multiple organ failure. Conclusions: The diagnosis of a tuberculous pancreatic abscess may be overlooked because of its rarity and its clinical state simulating a pancreatic tumor, so it should be considered especially in endemic countries like ours.

Risk factors for acquiring Acinetobacter baumannii infection in the intensive care unit: experience from a Moroccan hospital.

Introduction: Acinetobacter species are non-fermenting and ubiquitous Gram-negative coccobacilli, which in recent years have become the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide. Our objective here was to study the epidemiology and risk factors associated with Acinetobacter baumannii infections in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted collaboratively between the Medical Bacteriology Department and the two ICUs of the Military Hospital of Instruction Mohammed V-Rabat over a 3 month period. Results: We included 180 patients, of whom 60 had A. baumannii infection. We observed a male predominance in both matched groups, with a sex ratio of 1.6. The median age was 67 years [interquartile range (IQR) 59.5-77]. The median length of stay in the ICU before infection was 8.5 days (IQR 5-14). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the risk factors statistically associated with A. baumannii infection at the ICU level as follows: duration of invasive procedures >7 days [odds ratio (OR)=1.02], parenteral nutrition (OR=3.514), mechanical ventilation (OR=3.024), imipenem (OR=18.72), colistin (OR=5.645), probabilistic antibiotic therapy >4 days (OR=9.063) and neoplastic pathology (OR=5.727). Conclusion: Based on our results, it can be inferred that shortening the duration of stay in the resuscitation setting, implementing rational use of medical devices and optimizing antibiotic therapy could decrease the incidence of these infections.

Osteoarticular tuberculosis of the ankle, a rare localization: a case report.

Tuberculosis poses a considerable public health problem in countries where the disease is endemic. Osteoarticular tuberculosis represents 3-5 % of all tuberculosis cases and 10-15 % of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis cases. Involvement of the foot and ankle is rarer. We report a case of osteoarticular tuberculosis of the ankle in a 71-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes and hypertension who presented to the trauma department of the Mohammed V Military Hospital with a painful swelling of the ankle. Standard X-rays and computed tomography scans of the ankle showed inflammatory involvement of the bone and joints. Antitubercular therapy was instituted. Given the context of endemicity, any atypical presentation of lingering bone lesions should raise the suspicion of an osteoarticular tuberculosis in order to ensure early therapeutic management.

Predominance of OXA-48 Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales in a Moroccan Hospital.

Objective: The emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is a major concern that is increasingly reported worldwide. Our study aimed at investigating the resistance of CPE isolates in a Moroccan teaching hospital using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Methods: Enterobacterales strains from March to June 2018 were collected from different clinical samples. The Enterobacterales isolates resistant to third-generation cephalosporins (3GC) and/or carbapenems were subjected to the Carba NP test and an immunochromatographic test for phenotypic detection. Detection of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) was also performed following standards. Molecular screening of carbapenemases genes (OXA-48, NDM, blaKPC, blaIMP, blaVIM, and blaOXA-24, blaOXA-23, OXA-51, OXA-58) using conventional multiplex PCR assays was also performed on 143 isolates. Results: Enterobacterales represented 52.7% with a proportion of 21.8% of bacteria resistant to 3GC and/or carbapenems. Within 143 isolates MDR to 3GC, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, and E. cloacae represent 53.1%, 40.6%, and 6.3%, respectively. These strains were isolated mainly from urinary samples (74.8%) in patients admitted to emergency and surgical units. 81.1% of strains are producing ESBL and 29% are carbapenemase producers as confirmed by the Carba NP test, immunochromatographic test, and molecular testing. OXA-48 carriers represent 83.3% of these strains, followed by NDM with 16.7%. blaKPC, blaIMP, blaVIM, and blaOXA-24, blaOXA-23, OXA-51, OXA-58 were not detected in any of these bacteria. Conclusions: A high rate of CPE carrying OXA-48 among Enterobacterales resistant to 3GC and/or carbapenems isolates was found. Strict observance of hospital hygiene measures and more rational use of antibiotics are mandatory. Implantation of carbapenemases detection should be encouraged in our hospital settings to estimate the true burden of the CPE.

Shewanella putrefaciens: a rare cause of purulent otorrhoea.

Shewanella putrefaciens is a Gram-negative, non-fermenting, motile and oxidase-positive bacillus. Its incrimination in human pathology is very rare, although there has been a resurgence in Shewanella infections in recent years. We report the first case in Morocco of a purulent otorrhoea caused by S. putrefaciens , resistant to conventional treatment, occurring in a 25-year-old female, afebrile, without deterioration of the general state and possibly acquired during sea bathing. We also describe the bacteriological characteristics of and antibiotic susceptibility results for the isolate.

Bacteriological aspects of bacteremia in the intensive care unit of the Mohammed V Military Hospital: 10 months prospective study.

Introduction: Bacteremia is responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in intensive care units (ICU) is a growing concern. Hence, prior knowledge of bacterial epidemiology and resistance phenotypes is required to optimize these infections' management. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of bacteremia in ICU settings, as well as the place occupied by MDR bacteria in these infections. Methods: It is a prospective study carried out over 10 months on episodes of bacteremia in the ICU of Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital (Rabat, Morocco). Microorganism growth was detected using fluorescent technology, species identification was based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed following the recommendations of the Antibiogram Committee of the French Society of Microbiology (CA-SFM) and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). Results: Among 504 hospitalized patients, sixty-one (12.1%) presented at least one episode of bacteremia. Forty patients (65.6% of bacteremic patients) presented at least one episode of bacteremia due to MDR bacteria. Male gender, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and previous hospitalization were significant risk factors for the acquisition of MDR bacteremia. Isolated bacteria were mainly Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) (n = 62; 68.9%) dominated by Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 19; 21.1%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 16; 17.8%). MDR bacteria were represented by multi-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 19; 44.2%), extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Enterobacterales (n = 9; 20.9%) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (n = 7; 16.3%). Carbapenems (n = 40; 65.6%), Aminoglycosides (n = 32; 52.5%) and Polypeptides (n = 24; 39.3%) were the most used antimicrobials. Mortality rates were 66.6% (n = 40) and 85% (n = 43) in patients with non MDR bacteremia and MDR bacteremia respectively. Conclusion: Limiting the spread of MDR bacteria and improving the management of bacteremic patients require continuous monitoring of bacteremia as well as adapting the therapeutic and preventive strategy.

Pancytopenia revealing acute brucellosis.

Brucellosis is the most prevalent bacterial zoonosis worldwide. The WHO estimates that the infection is responsible for more than 500 000 cases per year across the world [1]. Hematological complications like mild anemia and leukopenia have been frequently associated with acute brucellosis, but pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia are less frequently encountered [2]. We are reporting the case of a 73 year old male patient, with pancytopenia that revealed acute brucellosis. Following 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy, our patient showed favorable clinical outcome, and the complete blood count returned to normal. Acute brucellosis should be highly suspected in patients with pancytopenia.

Multidrug-resistant community-acquired urinary tract infections in a northern region of Morocco: epidemiology and risk factors.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infection is very common and is the second most frequent reason for consultation in office-based practice. The incidence varies from one country to another. The diffusion of MDR in the community complicates therapeutic management. The objective of this study was to describe the bacterial epidemiology and to determine the risk factors for the acquisition of MDR in community urinary tract infections in our region. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study conducted in the bacteriology laboratory of the Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital over an 8-month period from 01 October 2015 to 31 May 2016. Cases were defined as patients with community-acquired urinary tract infection with MDR and controls were defined as patients with a urinary tract infection without MDR. RESULTS: Out of 373 isolates, enterobacteria represented 80%. E. coli represented 59.2%, followed by K. pneumoniae at 15%. The rate of MDR represented 13.4% of which ESBL enterobacteria represented 12.1%. Univariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between male sex (p=0.001), age >65 years (p=0.007), urban origin (p=0.003), previous hospitalization within 3 months (p=0.001) and antibiotic therapy within 6 months (p=0.001) with MDR community-acquired urinary tract infection. On the other hand, multivariate analysis by logistic regression showed that age >65 years (OR=8.4, CI: 2.1-42), previous hospitalization within 3 months (OR=13.4, CI: 3.3-140.2) and antibiotic therapy within 6 months (OR=9.2, CI: 4.1-60.1) were significantly associated to MDR community-acquired urinary tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in resistance to enterobacteria in the community prompts a review of the list of antibiotics prescribed for probabilistic management of these infections in our region.

Primary tuberculosis of the parotid gland: A forgotten diagnosis about a case!

The diagnosis of tuberculosis must be made in the face of any cervical swelling, and the treatment is essentially medical.

Update on the resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from urine specimens in a Moroccan hospital: a review of a 7-year period.

INTRODUCTION: Escherichia coli is the most commonly isolated species in both community and healthcare-associated infections. Our study's purpose was to determine the rates of antibiotic resistance of E. coli isolates in hospital and community populations, track the kinetics of resistance rates of E. coli isolates to major antibiotics, particularly those prescribed for urinary tract infections and study the occurrence and evolution of multi-resistant phenotypes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at the Bacteriological Department of the Mohammed V Military Hospital of Instruction, over a period of 7 years. All isolates of E. coli from inpatients and outpatients were included. Identification of bacterial isolates was based on culture, morphological and biochemical identification characteristics. Antibiotic susceptibility was studied using the Mueller Hilton agar diffusion method by using OXOID® type antibiotic discs and interpreted according to the recommendations of EUCAST/CA-SFM 2019. RESULTS: The rate of resistance of E. coli isolates to 3rd generation cephalosporins, imipenem and fluoroquinolones was 12%, 1% and 34%, respectively. The difference between the resistance rates of inpatient and outpatient E. coli isolates was statistically significant for most antibiotics (p<0.05). The rate of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase phenotype (ESBL) was 6.73%. The carbapenemase phenotype was 1.25%. The ESBL phenotype rate increased from 3% in 2012 to 11.16% in 2018. CONCLUSIONS: The progression of the ESBL phenotype in both hospital and community settings, due to the increase in the resistance rate to 3rd generation cephalosporin, is prompting a review of the strategy for the therapeutic management of urinary tract infections with these molecules as probabilistic treatment.

Genomic characterisation of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in Rabat, Morocco.

OBJECTIVES: Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are an increasingly significant cause of hospital- and community-acquired infections worldwide. Whereas several reports have highlighted their increased prevalence also in North African countries, genomic data on isolates associated with these infections are still scarce. This study aimed to provide data on ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from patients with extraintestinal infections at the Military Teaching Hospital Mohamed V of Rabat, Morocco. METHODS: Whole-genome sequencing was carried out on 18 ESBL-producing extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) isolates for analysis of phylogenomic evolution, virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes. Data were compared with ExPEC lineages from several surrounding countries using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and single nucleotide polymorphism-based phylogenetic approaches. RESULTS: The majority of E. coli isolates were ST131 (n = 15), followed by ST617 (n = 2) and a novel sequence type (ST10703) that is closely related to the pandemic ST405 clone. All ST131 isolates belonged to the O25b-ST131 pandemic clone. They harboured more virulence genes than their non-ST131 counterparts. IncF plasmid replicons and the blaCTX-M-15 ß-lactamase gene were identified in all isolates. No ESBL-producing E. coli isolates carried any known carbapenemase gene. CONCLUSION: Our findings underscore the pre-eminence of ST131 as the major factor driving the expansion of ExPEC in the Rabat region while highlighting the potential links with isolates circulating in other neighbouring countries.

Epidemiological profile of funguria in a university hospital in Oujda, Morocco.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The presence of yeasts in the urine is not synonymous with urinary tract infection since it can result in simple colonization or contamination. Regarding this, it is required to further clarify the epidemiological profile of funguria. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to establish the epidemiology of funguria in the Mohammed VI Teaching Hospital of Oujda, Morocco. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on all urine samples sent for cytobacteriological examination to a microbiology laboratory over a period of 28 months (i.e., from March 2016 to June 2018). After the removal of duplicates, the urine samples were treated according to the recommendations of the medical microbiology standards. RESULTS: A total of 15,165 urine samples were collected. Urinary colonization accounted for 4.94% (n=749) of cases. The infections of the urinary tract accounted for 5.35% (n=811) of cases. Microbial isolates (n=1,669) in colonization and urinary tract infections were dominated by bacteria (93.47%, n=1,560). Furthermore, the yeasts accounted for 6.53% (n=109) of the isolates. Candida albicans was isolated from 56.88% (n=62) of funguria cases. The risk factors for funguria in our series were essentially old age, admission to intensive care unit, and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: The current level of knowledge about the clinical situations leading to funguria with the improvement and popularization of efficient identification techniques for yeasts other than C. albicans should redress the epidemiology of funguria. This should allow the knowledgeable societies to establish the rules of interpreting the cytobacteriological examination of the urine in case of funguria, as for bacteriuria.