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. 2019 Mar;33(2):648-653.
doi: 10.1111/jvim.15444. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Risk factors for Candida urinary tract infections in dogs and cats

Krystle L Reagan  1 , Jonathan D Dear  2 , Philip H Kass  3 , Jane E Sykes  2
Affiliations

Risk factors for Candida urinary tract infections in dogs and cats

Krystle L Reagan et al. J Vet Intern Med. 2019 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Candida urinary tract infections occur in both dogs in cats but there is limited data about risk factors.

Objective: To identify risk factors for candiduria in dogs in cats.

Animals: Eighteen dogs and 8 cats with candiduria.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study, using univariate exact logistic regression. Medical records were searched for a diagnosis of Candida and animals with culture-confirmed candiduria were enrolled. Controls had bacterial cystitis (dogs and cats) or cutaneous Malassezia infection (dogs only).

Results: Administration of antibacterial drugs in the 30 days before diagnosis was associated with candiduria in dogs compared to controls with bacterial cystitis (OR 14.5; 95% CI 3.1-66.9) or with Malassezia infection (OR 26.4; 95% CI 3.4-206.7). Antecedent antibacterial drug administration was associated with candiduria in cats (OR 15.7; 95% CI 1.9-132.3). Immunosuppression was associated with candiduria in dogs when compared to controls with Malassezia infection (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4-12.8), but not significantly when compared to dogs with bacterial cystitis (OR 2.7, 95% CI 0.9-8.0). Lower urinary tract diseases other than infection were associated with candiduria in cats (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.6-27.9), but not significantly in dogs (OR 2.5, 95% CI 0.7-8.7). Neither diabetes mellitus nor history of hospitalization was significantly associated with candiduria in either species.

Conclusions and clinical importance: The recent administration of antibacterial drug therapy is a potential risk factor for development of candiduria in dogs and cats. Judicious use of antibacterial drugs might help to prevent candiduria.

Keywords: Candida; candiduria; cystitis; fungal; opportunistic infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

Jane E. Sykes serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She was not involved in review of this manuscript.

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