Mycoses of the urogenital tract

Mycotic infections of the urogenital tract are rarely caused by primary fungal pathogens, often however, by opportunistic fungi such as Candida species. Opportunistic fungi infect the urogenital tract either by haematogenous spread from a distant site, or a break of tissue integrity, or by retrograde ascension from the perianal region, or by wound contamination. After an initial polymorphonuclear reaction macrophages may invade giving rise to a granulomatous response. Risk factors for mycotic urogenital infections are extremes of age, long lasting and broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, malignancy, x-ray therapy, contaminated i.-v. catheters, oral contraceptives, pregnancy, surgery, obstructive uropathy and indwelling urethral catheters.