Microbiology Flashcards
Urine in what areas is usually sterile?
Kidneys
Ureters
Bladder
What microbes are commensals in the lower urethra?
Coliforms
Enterococci
Anaerobes (rarely cause UTI)
What is cystitis?
Infection in bladder (Lower UTI)
What is an upper UTI?
Infection involving ureters
What is pyelonephritis?
An upper UTI involving the kidneys
What is a complicated UTI?
UTI complicated by:
- Sepsis - Abnormality/Stones
What effect does a complicated UTI have on treatment?
Requires a longer antibiotics course
When might bacteruria not be an infection?
In the elderly
Patients with catheters
Why are females much more prone to UTIs?
Short and wide urethra
Urethral opening close to anus
What can increase the risk of UTIs?
Sex
Pregnancy
Why do posterior urethral valves increase the UTI risk?
Incomplete bladder emptying:
-> Urine stasis -> Infection
What is the most common route of UTI? What route does it take?
Ascending infection
Bowel bacteria -> Perineal skin -> Lower urethra -> Bladder -> Ureters -> Kidneys
How can a descending UTI occur?
- Patient with bacteraemia/sepsis
- Bacteria seeded in kidney
- Multiple small abscesses -> Bacteruria
What are coliforms?
Rod-shaped, gram negative, non-spore forming, facilitative anaerobes
What is the most common causal organism in UTIs?
E. coli (70%)
What other coliforms can cause UTIs?
Klebsiella sp
Enterobacter sp.
Other
What are Proteus sp. UTIs associated with? How do they cause this?
Stone formation:
- Produce ureases - Urea broken down into ammonia - Urinary pH rises - Precipitates salt formation
Proteus sp. UTIs have what other distinguishing feature?
Foul smelling
What are Enterococcus sp?
Types of Strep. living in the GI tract
Which of the following is antibiotic sensitive and which can be resistant and difficult to treat:
- Enterococcus faecalis
- Enterococcus faecium
Faecalis:
- Antibiotic sensitive
Faecium:
- Can be resistant and difficult to treat
Who gets UTIs caused by Staphylococcus saphrophyticus?
Women of child-bearing age
Why is Pseudomonas not a coliform?
Strictly aerobic
What are Pseudomonas UTIs associated with?
Catheters
Urinary tract instrumentation
What is the only antibiotic that can treat Pseudomonas UTIs and what does this increase the risk of?
Ciprofloxacin:
- Increased risk of C. diff
What symptoms suggest an upper UTI?
Fever
Loin pain
Rigors
What urine is likely to be infected in obtaining a urine sample?
1st urine (collects commensals from perineum and lower urethra)
What (ideally) needs to be carried out before obtaining a MSSU?
Wash perineum and urethral meatus with saline:
- Not antiseptic (May kill bacteria)
When would a clean catch urine sample be used?
In children and elderly when MSSU can’t be obtained
In what individuals is a bag urine sample used?
Babies
What do you do if there is a positive culture from a bag urine sample?
Suprapubic specimen must be taken
When would you take a catheter specimen of urine?
If signs/symptoms of UTI
What is the best container for containing urine for transport?
Boricon container:
- Contains boric acid - > Stops bacterial multiplication for ~24 hours - Red top
If a universal sterile container is used to transport urine samples, how soon must it reach the lab?
In 2 hours
What does a positive leukocyte esterase mean on urine dipstick?
Indicates WBC in urine
What might give a false positive result on leukocyte esterase on dipstick?
Catheter
What does a positive nitrite result on urine dipstick mean?
Bacteruria
Why do bacteria cause a positive nitrite result on urine dipstick?
Nitrate is reduced to Nitrite
What bacteria cause a positive nitrite result?
Coliforms
What bacteria do not cause a positive nitrite result?
Enterococcus
Ideally, when should a MSSU only be sent?
If dipstick is positive and there are symptoms
When is urine microscopy used?
If it is an urgent case
What should you look for in urine microscopy?
Polymorphs (pus cells)
Bacteria
+/- RBCs
What is a significant urine culture result according to the Kass’ Criteria?
> 100,000 (10^5) organisms/ml
What is a insignificant urine culture result according to the Kass’ Criteria?
If on urine culture there are 10^4 organisms/ml, what might this indicate?
Contamination?
UTI?