Fungal infections of the genitourinary system: manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.

Overview

There is an increasing pool of immunocompromised patients who are at an increased risk to fungi infections, which now cause 8% of nosocomial infections. Premature infants and elderly, transplant, and HIV patients are prime candidates for invasive fungal infections. The genitourinary system can be a source or target of disseminated fungal infection. Although candidal species are the most frequent pathogen, other species such as aspergila, cryptoccoccus have become major pathogens. "Environmental fungi," which include blastomyces, coccidioides and histoplasma, have become more aggressive in the vulnerable patient.