Colonic mucosa‐associated candida assessed by biopsy culture is associated with disease severity in ulcerative colitis: A prospective study

Objective To evaluate the relationship of mucosa‐associated candida (MAC) and disease severity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods We prospectively investigated the presence, nature, and quantification of MAC in patients with UC and its relationship with disease severity. Consecutive patients with UC were assessed for clinical, endoscopic, histological features and serum markers of disease severity. All patients underwent mucosal brushing cytology, brushing culture, and biopsy culture for candida growth. MAC was considered present if mucosal biopsy culture grew candida. Candida spp. identification was performed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization. Serum β‐D‐glucan was measured with a Fungitell assay. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome who had undergone similar investigations were included as controls. Results Ninety‐six patients with UC showed evidence of MAC more often than the controls (n = 20) based on biopsy culture (33.3% vs 5.0%, P = 0.011), brush cytology (30.2% vs 5.0%, P = 0.019), and brush culture (36.5% vs 10.0%, P = 0.021). Patients with UC had higher candida colony counts (≥10 3 CFU/mL) than controls (34.4% vs 5.0%, P = 0.007). Median β‐D‐glucan values were higher in patients with UC than in controls (103.26 pg/mL vs 66.51 pg/mL, P = 0.011). The UC group with MAC had a higher median total Mayo score, C‐reactive protein, fecal calprotectin, β‐D‐glucan, and histological activity than those without MAC. Conclusions Patients with UC more often show evidence of MAC and a higher candida colony count than controls. The presence of MAC is associated with high disease severity in patients with UC.