Urinary tract infection

What is UTI?
Urinary Tract Infections or UTIs are bacterial infectious of the urinary track, most often caused by the bacterium E.Coli. A UTI occurs when micro-organisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. In most cases, bacteria first begin growing in the urethra and often move on to the bladder, causing cystitis. If the infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may then group the ureters to infect the kidneys causing pyelo-nephritis. UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections and it is estimated that 40-50% of women will have at least one UTI in their life time.
 
What are the causes of UTIs?
Usually Escherichia Coli Bacteria or E.Coli. Bacteria (80% of infections) and some other organisms like Klebsiella, Entero-bactor proteus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, strepto Faecalis and staphylococcus. Other causes enhancing UTIs include: Manopause, Normal Bowel Flora, Sexual activities with infected persons, Pregnancy, Prostatic Enlargement, Multiple sclerosis, Urinary catheterization, Spina Bifida etc.

What are the signs and symptoms?
Usually UTI causes urinary frequency and urgency. May also cause dysuria, dribbling of urine or and slow urinary stream. Nocturia and Haematuria may also occur systemic symptoms such as chill, fever, may be present with concommitant pyelo-nephritis or prostatitis. Urine may be cloudy and tonl smelling, lowback pain with suprapubic discomfort may occasionally be noted. Also pain and burning sensation and incomplete bladder emptying during micturation may be experienced.

How UTIs are diagnosed?
UTIs are diagnosed by clinical history, examination and followed by examination of a mid stream specimen of urine (MSU) microscopically. Investigations may also include a semiquantitative culture of urine with antibiotic sensitivity test, intra-venous pyelography, cystoscopy and USG of the KUB region.

What is the treatment of UTI?
Various drugs are used for various UTI conditions. Such as Acute uncomplicated UTI in woman in cystitis:  Quinolones, Cephalosporins, Pevicillins, Nitrofurontoins.
In uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis: Quinolones, penicillins, cephalosporins and cotrimoxazoles are used.
In complicated cases Penicillins, Carbepeneus quinolones, cefoperazoac etc. are used.

What could be the complications of UTIs?
If untreated or treated late, UTIs may get complicated and result in Pyeloncephritis, Ascending infection, Recurrent infection, Renal abscess.

What is the prognosis of UTIs?
Symptoms resolve within 2-3 days after starting treatment in almost all patients.

Urinary Tract Infections
Organ         Infection
Urethra    Urethritis
Bladder    Cystitis
Ureters    Ureteritis
Kidneys    Pyelonephritis

Factors contributing to Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections
Ascending Infections
Blockage (for example, by stones) anywhere in the urinary tract
Abnormal bladder function that prevents proper emptying, such as occurs in neurologic diseases
Leaking of the valve between the ureter and the bladder, allowing urine and bacteria to flow backward from the bladder, possibly reaching the kidneys
Insertion of a urinary catheter or an instrument by a doctor

Blood-borne Infections
Infection in the bloodstream (septicemia)
Infection of the heart valves (infective endocarditis).

Urinary tract infection

What is UTI? Urinary Tract Infections or UTIs are bacterial infectious of the urinary track, most often caused by the bacterium E.Coli. A UTI occurs when micro-organisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. In most cases, bacteria first begin growing in the urethra and often move on to the bladder, causing cystitis. If the infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may then group the ureters to infect the kidneys causing pyelo-nephritis. UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections and it is estimated that 40-50% of women will have at least one UTI in their life time. What are the causes of UTIs? Usually Escherichia Coli Bacteria or E.Coli. Bacteria (80% of infections) and some other organisms like Klebsiella, Entero-bactor proteus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, strepto Faecalis and staphylococcus. Other causes enhancing UTIs include: Manopause, Normal Bowel Flora, Sexual activities with infected persons, Pregnancy, Prostatic Enlargement, Multiple sclerosis, Urinary catheterization, Spina Bifida etc. What are the signs and symptoms? Usually UTI causes urinary frequency and urgency. May also cause dysuria, dribbling of urine or and slow urinary stream. Nocturia and Haematuria may also occur systemic symptoms such as chill, fever, may be present with concommitant pyelo-nephritis or prostatitis. Urine may be cloudy and tonl smelling, lowback pain with suprapubic discomfort may occasionally be noted. Also pain and burning sensation and incomplete bladder emptying during micturation may be experienced. How UTIs are diagnosed? UTIs are diagnosed by clinical history, examination and followed by examination of a mid stream specimen of urine (MSU) microscopically. Investigations may also include a semiquantitative culture of urine with antibiotic sensitivity test, intra-venous pyelography, cystoscopy and USG of the KUB region. What is the treatment of UTI? Various drugs are used for various UTI conditions. Such as Acute uncomplicated UTI in woman in cystitis: Quinolones, Cephalosporins, Pevicillins, Nitrofurontoins. In uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis: Quinolones, penicillins, cephalosporins and cotrimoxazoles are used. In complicated cases Penicillins, Carbepeneus quinolones, cefoperazoac etc. are used. What could be the complications of UTIs? If untreated or treated late, UTIs may get complicated and result in Pyeloncephritis, Ascending infection, Recurrent infection, Renal abscess. What is the prognosis of UTIs? Symptoms resolve within 2-3 days after starting treatment in almost all patients. Urinary Tract Infections Organ Infection Urethra Urethritis Bladder Cystitis Ureters Ureteritis Kidneys Pyelonephritis Factors contributing to Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections Ascending Infections Blockage (for example, by stones) anywhere in the urinary tract Abnormal bladder function that prevents proper emptying, such as occurs in neurologic diseases Leaking of the valve between the ureter and the bladder, allowing urine and bacteria to flow backward from the bladder, possibly reaching the kidneys Insertion of a urinary catheter or an instrument by a doctor Blood-borne Infections Infection in the bloodstream (septicemia) Infection of the heart valves (infective endocarditis).