Chyluria, also called chylous urine, is a medical condition involving the presence of chyle in the urine stream, which results in urine appearing milky white. The condition is usually classified as being either parasitic or non parasitic. It is a condition that is more prevalent among people of Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Chyluria appearance is irregular and intermittent. It may last several days, weeks or even months. There are several factors that trigger Chyluria recurrence. Signs and symptoms
Once the lymph channels are blocked, one may open into the kidney hilum or ureter or sometimes into the bladder and chyle can leak into the urinary tract resulting in milky white urine. Blood sometimes mixes with the urine resulting in haemato-chyluria. Usually the condition is self-limiting and can sometimes lead to complications. If left untreated, chronic chyluria can lead to malnutrition and fat-soluble vitamin deficiency. Causes
Chyluria is often caused by filariasis due to the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti, a thready nematode which lodges the lymph channels. The parasitic infection can lead to obstruction of peripheral lymphatic vessels and increased pressure within the vessels causing collateral flow of the lymph, redirecting the lymph flow from the intestinal lymphatic vessels into the lymphatic vessels of the kidney and ureter.
Oral ivermectin at a dose of 12 mg on days 0, 7 and 14 has been used in a small trial of 33 people in Marseilles, but did not result in complete eradication, although there was a significant fall in the number of parasites and proportion of people infected. At the moment, ivermectin cannot be routinely recommended for the treatment of body lice. Medication, insecticide or burning of clothing and bedding is usually not necessary, as the problem normally goes away with daily bathing, and weekly (or more frequent) laundering and drying of clothing, bedding, towels, etc. in a hot clothes drier. See also
List of cutaneous conditions
Pediculosis
Skin lesion
Vagabonds leukomelanoderma


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