Lower Genital Tract Infections in Diabetic Women

The influence of glucose metabolism is seen in many infectious diseases, making diabetic patients more vulnerable to sepsis and other serious sequelae of bacterial invasion. Vaginal candidiasis is a common problem if the glycemia is poorly controlled. The level of glucose concentration in the blood after ingestion of sugar seems to explain an increased likelihood of recurrent infection. Specific immune aberrations, such as an elevated T-helper 2 response and a blunted T-helper 1 response, leading to tolerance, may result in chronic recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. In such patients, a low-grade infection with frequent exacerbations is seen, and treatment should be based on 24-hour glycemic control and long intermittent treatment with antifungals. Besides candidiasis, there is also evidence of an increased likelihood of cystitis. Upper urinary tract infections (UTIs) are also a frequent result of bladder colonization. Lethal emphysematous nephritis due to Candida albicans or gas-forming bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, streptococci, or enterococci are known to occur in diabetic patients. Furthermore, UTIs in diabetic patients are difficult to eradicate and need longer and intense antibiotic therapy. Awareness of the increased likelihood of UTIs, frequent screening, and prolonged treatment in case of cystitis are warranted. For the prevention of UTI and bacterial vaginal infections (bacterial vaginosis, vaginal atrophy with bacterial colonization, aerobic vaginitis) estrogen therapy may be as important as antibiotic therapy. Catheterization should be limited since it promotes infection more in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients. In the case of recurrent vaginal candidiasis, tight control of glycemia is crucial, in addition to prolonged, intermittent therapy with antifungals.