Candida Urinary Tract Infection

Candida, a genus of yeasts, is commonly found in humans, and in most cases the various species of this genus have a symbiotic relationship with their human hosts. Candiduria, or the presence of candida in the urine, is not uncommon and, generally speaking, is not an indication of any problem. However, in isolated cases, candiduria may indicate the presence of serious urinary tract infections.

Benign Candiduria

• The presence of candida yeast species is seen often in the urine of hospitalized patients who are catheterized or being treated with intravenous antibiotics. In most cases, the mere presence of the candida is of no real consequence and unlikely to produce any unwelcome symptoms. It also can occur, particularly in females, through contamination from the external genitalia, where candida species tend to colonize in the vaginal area.

Urethritis

• Seen in both men and women, this infection, when caused by candida, is most often transmitted to the urinary tract from yeast colonization on the external genitals, known as balanitis in men and vulvovaginitis in women. Symptoms of urethritis in men include blood in the urine or semen, penile discharge, frequent urination, pain upon ejaculation and inflammation and/or itchiness in the groin area. In women the symptoms include frequent urination, abdominal or pelvic pain, fever, vaginal discharge and burning pain while urinating.

Cystitis

• This form of candidal infection occurs frequently in patients who've been urethrally catheterized and also in diabetics. In the former, the infection is sometimes without symptoms. The only way this infection can be definitively diagnosed is by visualization through cystoscopy. If symptoms do develop, they are likely to include hematuria (blood in the urine), slight fever, strong-smelling urine, pelvic discomfort, frequent urination and a burning sensation while urinating.

Prostatitis

• Candida is rarely implicated as a cause of prostatitis, but it does occur occasionally. Seen only in men, this inflammation of the prostate gland has many of the same symptoms seen in other urinary tract infections. These include a burning sensation when urinating, frequent urination, pain in the abdomen or groin, difficulty urinating and painful ejaculations. Other symptoms may include pain in the penis or testicles and pain in the perineum, the area between the rectum and the penis.

Upper Urinary Tract Candidiasis

• Often set off by an obstruction of the urinary tract, this type of infection can manifest itself in one of several forms, including calyceal invasion, emphysematous pyelonephritis, papillary necrosis or perinephric abscess. Another candida-related infection that may occur as a result of a urinary tract obstruction is fungus ball formation, which can be either asymptomatic or accompanied by such symptoms as fever, chills and flank pain.