Yeast Infections of the Lower Urinary Tract: Recommendations for Diagnosis and Treatment

Yeast infections of the lower urinary tract are common, with the vast majority due to Candida species. Though not life-threatening, candiduria may be a marker for overall severity of illness in hospitalized patients, as it appears to predict increased mortality, particularly in critically ill patients. Diagnosis is relatively simple through culture, but exact definitions of clinical disease are elusive. Management of asymptomatic patients is generally observation with reduction of predisposing factors, whereas symptomatic patients should be treated. Therapeutic options for these infections are limited and not well studied compared with therapies for systemic candidiasis. Further studies are needed to optimize management of these patients.