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Corynebacterium Urinary Tract Infection

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that urinary tract infections are the second most common infection in the human body, affecting millions of people a year and resulting in more than 8 million visits to a physician annually. Most of the time, urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria. One type of bacteria that can cause urinary tract infection is Corynebacterium.

  1. What is Corynebacterium?

    • Corynebacterium is a genus of bacteria that, for the most part, are not harmful. Certain types of corynebacteria are associated with urinary tract infections, including Corynebacterium pseudogenitalium, Corynebacterium aquaticum and Corynebacterium urealyticum.

    How Do Infections Form?

    • Corynebacteria are found in nature and are present in foods that are ingested. Normally, many of these and other bacteria are eliminated from the digestive system through the kidneys, ureters and urethra (the urinary tract) when a person urinates. Sometimes, however, the bacteria cling to the opening of the ureter and multiply, causing infection. Injury to the urethra (e.g., during catheter insertion) increases the risk that bacteria will cause an infection.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of a Corynebacterium infection are the same for urinary tract infections caused by other bacteria. They include a burning sensation while urinating, bloody or cloudy urine that has a strong odor, and the need to urinate frequently. However, certain strains of Corynebacteria also can cause other symptoms such as back pain and kidney stones if the infection progresses to the upper urinary tract.

    Testing and Treatment

    • The presence of corynebacteria can be confirmed through a urine sample by means of urinalysis. Treatment is recommended based on the urinalysis results. Treatment for a urinary tract infection caused by Corynebacteria may include the use of antibiotics such as amoxicillin, which may be given either orally or intravenously. The type of antibiotic will depend on the specific strain of Corynebacteria found in the urinary tract, since some strains are more resistant to antibiotics than others. Usually the antibiotics must be taken for at least a week in order to be effective. Drinking plenty of water also is helpful because the extra fluid helps to flush the bacteria out of the urinary tract. In some cases of severe infection, hospitalization may be necessary, but most urinary tract infections caused by Corynebacteria are not very serious and can be treated at home on an outpatient basis.

    Risk Factors

    • Corynebacterium infections can infect persons of any age, including infants. Women have a greater risk for developing it than men, probably because of anatomical differences that make it easier for bacteria to come in contact with the female urethra. Those with urinary tract abnormalities also are at increased risk, as are those who have surgery that requires a catheter. Most people who have a Corynebacterium infection, even those at higher risk, are asymptomatic.

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