MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Urosepsis From Nephrolithiasis Caused by Candida glabrata: A Rare Etiology of Urinary Sepsis in an Immunocompetent Patient

Summary

A 41-year-old man with kidney stones developed a serious bloodstream infection caused by Candida glabrata, a type of yeast fungus that rarely infects healthy people. Although he initially received antibiotics, his condition worsened until doctors identified the fungal infection through blood tests. After placing a drainage tube in his kidney and treating him with an antifungal medication called micafungin, he recovered well. This case highlights the importance of considering fungal infections when standard antibiotics fail to treat kidney stone-related infections.

Background

Nephrolithiasis can serve as an infection nidus, typically associated with bacterial pathogens that cause urinary tract infections. While fungal causes of UTI-related sepsis are less commonly reported in immunocompetent patients, Candida species have increasingly been recognized as etiologic agents. Candida glabrata rarely causes UTI-related sepsis in immunocompetent individuals.

Objective

To describe a rare case of urosepsis from nephrolithiasis caused by Candida glabrata in an immunocompetent patient. This case report demonstrates the importance of recognizing fungal pathogens as potential causative agents in non-resolving nephrolithiasis-induced infections.

Results

Blood cultures grew Candida glabrata despite negative urine cultures and initial antibiotic therapy failure. The patient was treated with intravenous micafungin for two weeks following percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement. The patient demonstrated clinical improvement with this combined approach.

Conclusion

Urosepsis due to Candida glabrata in immunocompetent individuals is rare but should be suspected in patients with obstructive nephrolithiasis who fail to improve with antibiotic therapy. Early recognition, aggressive antifungal therapy, and source control through percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement are paramount for successful treatment.
  • Published in:Cureus,
  • Study Type:Case Report,
  • Source: PMID: 40405904, DOI: 10.7759/cureus.84600
Scroll to Top