Penis & scrotum
Infectious
Fungal infections
Authors: Alcides Chaux, M.D., Antonio L. Cubilla, M.D.
Topic Completed: 1 February 2010
Minor changes: 26 October 2020
Copyright: 2002-2021, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Fungal infections penis
Cite this page: Chaux A, Cubilla AL. Fungal infections. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/penscrotumfungal.html. Accessed April 15th, 2021.
Clinical features
- Symptoms are often itching or burning after sex (Genitourin Med 1997;73:394)
- In children, circumcision is associated with a marked reduction in yeast colonization (Mycoses 2009;52:49)
Either superficial or deep:
- Superficial: usually Candida albicans or dermatophytes (spores often in keratinized epithelium), often spreads locally from groin
- Deep: rare, usually spreads to penis from other sites via blood
Candida albicans:
- Usually sexually transmitted, 15% of men are asymptomatic carriers and may reinfect women
- Patients are usually symptomatic if > 10 colonies are grown from culture (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2010;24:820)
- Direct impression of glans on CHROMagar Candida medium is more sensitive than cotton swab of genital exudate but still only 18% sensitive (Sex Transm Infect 2010;86:32)
Microscopic (histologic) description
- In superficial infections, causative agent identifiable in keratinized, often parakeratotic, superficial epithelium
- Histochemical stains (PAS, GMS) are useful for highlighting the microorganism
