<![CDATA[Fungal infections of the respiratory tract can occur in patients with impaired immune systems and comorbidities. Gram staining of sputum can provide an initial indication of fungal elements such as yeast cells and hyphae. Data on the prevalence of fungi detected by this examination at S.K. Lerik Regional Hospital remain limited. Objective: To determine the prevalence of positive fungal findings and their distribution based on sex, age, comorbidities, and fungal morphology. Methods: This descriptive study used secondary data from sputum Gram staining results and patient medical records for the period January 2025–March 2026. Total sampling was used, and data were analyzed descriptively. Results: Of 955 samples, 78 (8%) were positive for fungi. Positive findings were more common in males (58%), patients aged ≥60 years (54%), and patients with pneumonia (65%). The most common fungal morphology was budding yeast (48%), followed by single yeast (42%) and hyphae (33%). Conclusion: The prevalence of positive fungal findings was 8%, with higher findings among males and patients aged ≥60 years. Pneumonia was the most common comorbidity, while budding yeast was the predominant fungal morphology.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
