Cystitis pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Steven C. Campbell, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maliha Shakil, M.D. [2]
Overview
Cystitis occurs when the normally sterile lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder) is infected by bacteria, which leads to irritation and inflammation. Females are more prone to the development of cystitis because of their relatively shorter urethra. Bacteria does not have to travel as far to enter the bladder, which is in part due to the relatively short distance between the opening of the urethra and the anus. The pathogenesis of complicated cystitis include obstruction and stasis of urine flow. Obstruction leads to overdistension and bacterial growth is facilitated by the residual urine. Stasis of urine flow allows entry of pathogens into the urinary tract.[1]
Pathophysiology
In women, vaginal colonization of the uropathogens leads to the development of a urinary tract infection.[1] Cystitis occurs when the normally sterile lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder) are infected by bacteria and become irritated and inflamed. Once bacteria enter the bladder, they are normally removed through urination. When bacteria multiply faster than they are removed by urination, infection results. Cystitis is rare in males. Females are more prone to the development of cystitis because of their relatively shorter urethra. Bacteria does not have to travel as far to enter the bladder, which is in part due to the relatively short distance between the opening of the urethra and the anus.
The pathogenesis of complicated cystitis include obstruction and stasis of urine flow. Obstruction leads to overdistension and bacterial growth is facilitated by the residual urine. Stasis of urine flow allows entry of pathogens into the urinary tract.[1]
Chronic irritation from infection, calculi or even tumors results in metaplasia of the urothelium, which proliferates into buds, which grow down into the connective tissue beneath the epithelium in the lamina propria. In the case of cystitis cystica, the buds then differentiate into cystic deposits.