Abstract: Objective To investigate the colonization of Candida albicans in patients with liver cirrhosis and the risk factors. Methods 103 patients with liver cirrhosis in the observation group and 103 healthy physical examinees in the control group who visited 988 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army from March 2016 to January 2019 were enrolled. Specimens of feces and sputum were collected separately from both groups for microbial culture to observe the colonization levels of various types of fungi in the specimens. The risk factors of Candida albicans infection in liver cirrhotic patients were further analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results The distribution ratios of Candida albicans in the feces and sputum of the observation group were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). In the observation group, the distribution ratios of Candida albicans in feces and sputum were significantly higher than those of Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and other fungi (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that hospitalization days ≥14 d, Child-Pugh of grade B or C and serum albumin ≤25 g/L were risk factors for Candida albicans infection (P<0.05). Conclusion Candida albicans is the main fungus colonized in the digestive tract and respiratory tract of cirrhotic patients with fungal infection. Hospitalization days ≥14 d, Child-Pugh grade B or C and serum albumin ≤25 g/L are risk factors for the infection. Countermeasures should be taken to improve the prognosis of the patients.

Key words: Candida albicans, Liver cirrhosis, Colonization, Risk factors