Candida albicans in urine, known as candiduria, is typically caused by a lower urinary tract infection (UTI) occurring in individuals with urinary catheters, often following antibiotic therapy.
Common Causes and Contributing Factors:
- Urinary Catheters: The most common cause. Catheters provide a direct pathway for Candida albicans to enter the bladder.
- Antibiotic Use: Antibiotics can disrupt the normal bacterial flora in the body, allowing Candida albicans to overgrow and potentially infect the urinary tract.
- Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are more susceptible, particularly to Candida albicans prostatitis (though rare) after instrumentation. High glucose levels in the urine can promote fungal growth.
- Immunocompromised Status: Weakened immune systems, due to conditions like HIV/AIDS or immunosuppressant medications, make individuals more prone to Candida albicans infections.
- Instrumentation of the Urinary Tract: Procedures like cystoscopy can introduce Candida albicans into the urinary tract.
- Simultaneous Infections: It is not uncommon for Candida albicans infections to occur alongside bacterial UTIs.
Prostatitis
In rare cases, C. albicans can cause prostatitis, especially in diabetic men following urological procedures.
In summary, Candida albicans in urine is most often related to catheter use and antibiotic treatment. Diabetics and immunocompromised individuals also have an increased risk.
