Microbiology of UTI Flashcards
UTI definition?
microorganisms in urinary tract causing clinical infection
where is lower UTI?
confined to bladder (cystitis)
where is upper UTI?
ureters +/- kidneys (pyelonephritis)
describe distribution of bacteria in urinary tract
urine in kidneys and bladder = sterile
lower end of urethra colonised by coliforms and enterococci from large bowel
what is a complicated UTI?
UTI complicated by systemic symptoms or urinary structural abnormality/stones
what is bacteriuria?
bacteria in urine
not always infection - common in elderly patients or patients with catheters
what must be done for bacteriuria?
culture
dipstick not enough
who is UTI most common in?
women (urethra is shorter and wider and closer to anus)
catheterised patients
any abnormality in urinary tract
what can cause an ascending infection?
bacteria from bowel
perianal skin
lower end of urethra
bladder > ureters > kidneys
two common routes of infection in UTI?
ascending (most common)
bloodstream
what can cause bloodstream UTI?
septicaemia
seeded into kidneys
multiple small abscesses
bacteria in urine
when should urine sample be taken?
mid stream
when is dipstick useful?
young people with cystitis
not useful in older people or people with catheters as it doesn’t really tell you much, has lots of false positives
describe coliforms
gram -ve bacilli
biggest cause of UTI?
coliforms
- E.coli (mainly)
- also klebsiella and enterobacter
other non coliform causes of UTI?
pseudomonas
describe E. Coli
endotoxin in LPS layer
fimbriae (help it to attach)
describe proteus
foul smelling (burn chocolate)
produces swarming cultures
causes alkaline urine leading to precipitation of salts
what type of stone does proteus cause?
struite stones (triple phosphate) - due to alkaline urine
describe pseudomonas
gram -ve bacillus
NOT A COLIFORM
associated with catheters and urinary instruments