Analysis of Recurring UTI and Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Case Study

This case study investigates the relationship between recurring Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) in a 25-year-old female. It explores the patient's medical history, focusing on the interplay of factors like chronic stress, poor diet, and pharmaceutical usage, which contributed to dysbiosis and impaired neurotransmitter synthesis. The study highlights the symptoms of UTI and VVC, which are caused by Escherichia coli and Candida species respectively. The primary goal of the treatment is to minimize stress and restore the balance of microbiota to improve the function of the immune, nervous, urinary, and digestive systems. The case study emphasizes the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain, and the impact of the gut microbiome on neural development and behavior. The study also discusses the adverse effects of Pristiq (SNRI) prescription for depression and its contribution to the patient's condition. The study concludes by discussing the importance of preventative and therapeutic measures to treat these ailments. The provided case study highlights the need to treat the underlying causes of the recurring infections.

Running head: URINARY TRACT INFECTION
Urinary Tract Infection
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

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URINARY TRACT INFECTION
Urinary Tract Infection
A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an ailment that affects the urinary tract system which is
composed of the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureter. The causal agent of UTI is Escherichia
coli. (Wein et al., 2007). This bacteria or virus find its way to the body through the urethra
through which infection starts to build up. The symptoms of this infection become visible due to
the multiplication of the causal agents in the bladder (Wardle, 2014). Frequent and painful
urination, pelvic pressure, lower abdominal pain, the urgency to urinate, cloudy and smelly urine
are some of the common symptoms associated with UTI (Wein et al., 2017: Kumar et al., 2002).
Research done indicates that 75% of adult women suffer from vulvovaginal candidiasis
(VVC), at least once in a lifetime, caused by Candida species. Normal body flora Candida
albicans causes about 85%-95% of VVC (Chew et al., 2015). Clinics depend on symptoms
observed in the patient especially burning sensation in the vulva, dyspareunia, abnormal vaginal
discharge, itching and dysuria (Aniebue, Nwankwo, & Nwafwor, 2018). Candida has led to the
change in levels of hormones in the body such as increased estrogen. For example, during
menstruation, there is an increased hormonal change in the luteal phase. Candida can also be
caused by oral contraceptive pills that contain high estrogen (Hamad, Abu-Elteen, & Ghaleb,
2004) Other factors include use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, high sugar diet, wearing tight
nylon underwear and environmental hormones found in dairy. Candida has been associated
with the nervous system. Therefore, it affects depression, changes in moods and concentration
of an individual because it also affects the brain (Dunbar 2004).
Candida species causes about 15% of UTIs. Its prevalence is still increasing. This
species has the potential of causing UTI. The non-C albican species is predominant.
(Rahimkani et al., 2014). Resistance to candida can also be caused by incorrect use of over the
counter drugs. Preventative and therapeutic measures should be put in place to treat this
ailment. This case study focuses on the relation between recurring VVC and UTI in females by
evaluating a case associated with a 25-year-old female who had recurring UTI and thrush.
Therefore, the client’s medical history, treatment plan, and results will be discussed.
Some factors that have contributed to this case include chronic stress, a poor diet which
contains high inflammatory markers, and pharmaceutical usage that contributed to dysbiosis
lead to impaired synthesis of serotonin, tryptophan, and neurotransmitter. The main goal of
curing is to minimize stress and bring about a balance of microbiota because it is deemed to
impair the normal functioning of the involved systems in the case. Such systems include
immune, nervous, urinary and digestive system.
Evidence shows that there is bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal
tract and the central nervous system through the interactions with the gut-brain. The gut
microbiome can affect the development of the neural, behavior and cognition. Recent evidence
shows that behavioral change can alter the composition of gut microbiota. On the other hand,
the modification of the microbiome can lead to behaviors related to depression which can cause
mental illness (Roger et al., 2016). The UTI and chronic thrush which the client is experiencing
for the last decade shows that there is a gut biota imbalance that has the potential to cause
decreased development of neuron’s functions.
It is essential to note that Pristiq (SNRI) prescription for depression treatment is shown
three years after urinary and chronic thrush symptoms started. Even though it is the most
preferred method of maintaining depression by pharmaceuticals, it has adverse effects such as
irritability, constipation, anxiety, decreased urge for sex and lack of sleep. These are some of
the factors that contribute to this case. (Therapeutic Goods Administration, 2019).

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URINARY TRACT INFECTION
References
Aniebue, U. U., Nwankwo, T. O., & Nwafor, M. I. (2018). Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in
Reproductive Age Women in Enugu Nigeria, Clinical versus Laboratory-assisted
Diagnosis. Nigerian journal of clinical practice, 21(8), 1017-1022.
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(1982). Urinary tract infections due to Candida albicans. Reviews of infectious
diseases, 4(6), 1107-1118.
Hamad, M., Abu‐Elteen, K. H., & Ghaleb, M. (2004). Estrogen‐dependent induction of
persistent vaginal candidosis in naïve mice. Mycoses, 47(7), 304-309.
Lee, A. J., Hiscock, R. J., Wein, P., Walker, S. P., & Permezel, M. (2007). Gestational
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