Aspergillus Urinary Tract Infections

Aspergillus is a common fungus found in the air, soil, decaying plants and in the human body. There are over 185 species of Aspergillus, 20 of which can cause infection in humans. Aspergillus infection from any of these 20 species is common, especially in people with compromised immune systems. Most of these species respond to treatment with anti-fungal medications, though a few can be resistant. After Candida fungus, Aspergillus is the most common fungus involved in human infection, according to Doctor Fungus, which is a research website funded by multiple pharmaceutical companies and featuring comprehensive information on infectious varieties of fungus.

Definition

• A urinary tract infection is an infection of the kidneys, ureters, urethra or bladder. Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, but Aspergillus fungus can also colonize the urinary tract and cause similar symptoms. Urinary tract infections can be caused by sex, immune system problems and improper hygiene. Some sexually transmitted diseases can irritate the urinary tract, resulting in a greater susceptibility to infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. Urinary tract infections are much more common in women than in men.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of urinary tract infection with Aspergillus include pelvic pain, strong-smelling urine, a persistent urge to urinate, urine that appears cloudy and vaginal discharge. Aspergillus infections often occur after taking antibiotics, since the antibiotics kill off the bacteria keeping Aspergillus in check. Often people who have an underlying systemic Aspergillus infection (which commonly occurs in those with compromised immune systems) will take antibiotics to fight a bacterial urinary tract infection only to end up with Aspergillus in the urinary tract, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Diagnosis

• In order to diagnose an Aspergillus infection, doctors will take a sample of the infected tissue to culture in a laboratory. Often people who have Aspergillus in the urinary tract also suffer from a systemic colonization of Aspergillus. Doctors will often perform chest x-rays to rule out Aspergillus in the lungs, a potentially dangerous condition requiring more aggressive anti-fungal treatment, according to Merck, a pharmaceutical company that maintains an online medical library.

Treatment

• Treatment of Aspergillus urinary tract infections usually involves a course of oral anti-fungal medication such as voriconazole or amphotericin B. Some forms of Aspergillus do not respond to this type of treatment and require a more powerful anti-fungal drug called caspofungin. Caspofungin is only used in extreme cases because it can have serious side effects, including chills, diarrhea, cough, fever, nausea, stomach pain, headache, vomiting and potentially fatal allergic reaction, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Risk Factors

• Aspergillus urinary tract infections do not typically occur in otherwise healthy individuals. A weakened immune system is the greatest risk factor for Aspergillus infection. Individuals with a weakened immune system who have recently taken a course of antibiotics are at the highest risk, according to Merck.