Faecal fungal flora in the gastrointestinal tract of potentially healthy children attending randomly selected kindergartens in the Tri-City area (Poland)

Introduction: Human gastrointestinal tract is colonized in the conditions of homeostasis by many different species of microorganisms, including yeasts. The growing number of fungal diseases in recent decades is becoming an increasingly serious problem faced by various medical specialties. Common prevalence of Candida species and the related possibility of spreading during immunodeficiency, can pose a serious threat to health and the additional burden on the occurrence of other diseases. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to specify the prevalence of yeasts in the digestive tract of children with identification of species. Material and methods: Authors examined 237 faecal samples collected from potentially healthy children attending randomly selected kindergartens in Tri-City (Poland). Stool samples were cultured onto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar with chloramphenicol. Quantitative culture was involved. Species of yeasts were determined based on kit API 20CAUX system (bioMérieux). Results: Fungi were grown in 149 children (62.9%). Predominant species was Candida albicans (84.6%). Patognomonic prevalence of fungi in healthy children was lower (14.8%) than in children with symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract (48.1%). The content of fungal cells per gram of faeces at 104-105 level was determined in surprisingly large number of children (46%), which suggests the necessity of control examination in this group of children. Conclusions: The growth of fungi in the studied group of children was significantly higher than average results in a population of healthy people. Quantitative mycological stool examination should be performed in immunocompromised children and after frequent and/or prolonged antibiotic therapy. The presence of fungal cells in the faeces of almost 63% of children indicates the need for a broad awareness of probiotic supplementation during antibiotic therapy. The relationship between the growth of fungi and the intensity of allergic symptoms or anti-allergic treatment requires further investigation on a larger group of children.