Identification and categorization of pathogens in doshaja mutrakrucchra vis-a-vis urinary tract infections

Mutrakrucchra is a disease characterized by difficulty in voiding of urine. This is classified into 8 types – Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Sannipataja, Ashmarija, Kshataja, Shukraja and Sharkaraja. The clinical features are similar to that of urinary tract infections caused by microbes. 

UTI is commonly caused by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter species, Proteus species, Acinetobacter, Morganella species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Yeast

The prevalence of UTI in women is greater than men. In women 3% of prevalence and increasing by about 1% in each subsequent decade. Whereas after the age of 50 years, UTI occurrence is also more in male and also in the age group <1year. There is no direct reference mentioned in Samhita that Mutrakrucchra is caused by Krimi. Whereas, based on the similarity in the clinical features, we can understand that UTI is similar to that of Mutrakrucchra. Therefore, we can infer that Mutrakrucchra can be caused due to Krimi also. The causative organisms of the UTI are the inhabitants of colon and blood 9, from this we can infer that if Purishaja Krimi or Raktaja Krimi enters Mutravaha Srotas, it causes Mutrakrucchra. Hence, this study intends to identify the microorganisms responsible for causation of Mutrakrucchra and categorize them among Doshaja Mutrakrucchra. Thus, this will be a first of its kind study to bridge the Ayurveda classical knowledge to modern microbiology understanding to characterize microorganisms causing different types of Mutrakrucchra, which can be a torch bearer for future clinical approach in cases of Mutrakrucchra.