Urinary Tract Infection Flashcards
Name infection of kidney
Acute or chronic pyelonephritis
Name infection of the bladder
Cystitis
Name infection of the urethra
Urethritis
Name infection of prostate
Prostatitis
Name infection of the epididymis/Testis
Epididymo-orchitis
What are the two classifications of UTIs?
- Uncomplicated: normal renal structure + function
* Complicated: structural/functional abnormality of urinary tract
What are general predisposing factors which makes an individual more susceptible to UTI (or other infection)?
- Immunosuppression
- Steroids
- Malnutrition
- Diabetes
What are predisposing factors specific to the urinary tract?
- Female sex (short urethra)
- Sexual intercourse and poor voiding habits
- Congenital abnormalities e.g. duplex kidney, PUJ obstruction
- Stasis of urine e.g. due to poor bladder emptying
- Foreign bodies eg catheters, stones
- Oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women
- Fistula between bladder & bowel
- Renal cysts
- Pre-existing renal parenchymal damage (i.e. recurrent pyelonephritis)
What is acute pyelonephritis?
Infection of upper urinary tract involving the kidneys/renal pelvis
• Commonly women of child bearing age
What is chronic phyelonephritis?
Pathological condition with renal scarring and potentially loss of renal function. Infection may be a contributory cause but the term does not necessarily imply ongoing infection. Other factors which may contribute include diabetes, vesico-ureteric reflux and urinary obstruction
What are the common causative organisms?
Usually anaerobes and gram-negative bacteria from bowel and vaginal flora.
- E coli (commonest)
- Proteus
- Klebsiella
- Enterococcus
What is sterile pyuria?
Urine is negative on culture but significant numbers of pus cells are present.
Describe different routes for bacteria to enter the urinary tract (usually sterile)
Transurethral:
• Periurethral area contaminated (recurrent UTI, diaphragms)
• Urethra to bladder (intercourse, catheterisation)
• Bladder (and u ureters)
- Blood stream
- Lymphatics
What are general clinical features for UTIs in children?
Diarrhoea Excessive crying Fever Nausea and vomiting Not eating
What are general clinical features for UTIs in adults ?
Flank pain Dysuria Cloudy offensive urine Urgency Chills Strangury Confusion (very old people)
What is strangury?
Condition caused by blockage or irritation at the base of the bladder, resulting in severe pain and a strong desire to urinate.
What are the clinical features of acute pyelonephritis?
Pyrexia Poor localisation Loin tenderness (renal angle) Signs of dehydration Turbid urine (cloudy) Vomiting
In severe cases, bacteria spreads to blood stream -> bacteraemia causing sepsis:
• Rigors
• N+V
What are the clinical features of cystitis?
Frequency Dysuria Urgency Suprapubic pain Polyuria (large volume) Haematuria
What investigations are carried out for women?
• Mid-stream sample of urine.
• Dipstick: Blood, leucocytes, protein and
nitrites
Microbiology In lab:
• Microscopy and Gram staining
• Bacteruria >105 CFU /ml
• Culture and sensitivity
What is the typical presentation of acute cystitis or lower tract infection in adult women?
Variable combinations of: • Dysuria • Frequency • Urgency • Suprapubic • Polyuria • Haematuria
What is the management for a women with mild or only 2 symptoms?
MSU
What is the management for a women with >= 3 symptoms of cystitis and no vaginal discharge?
Treat empirically* with no further test, usually 3 days.
*Therapy begun on the basis of a clinical “educated guess”
What can contaminate MSU and how are samples made sterile?
Urine contaminated by urethral contents (from vaginal/labial organisms moving up)
- Take midstream sample
- Wash/swab with sterile saline in advance