Urinary Tract Infections Flashcards
What parts of the urinary system are usually sterile?
Kidneys, ureters, bladder and proximal urethra
Name some common bacterial isolates found in UTIs
- E.coli
- Staph
- Proteus
- Step
- Klebsiella
- Enterococcus
- Corynebacterium (LAs)
Where are uropathogens most commonly derived from?
Faecal or skin flora
What factors may contribute to voiding abnormalities and hence UTIs?
- Urethral obstruction
- Spinal disease
- Bladder atony
- Poor husbandry
What defence mechanisms does the urinary system have?
- Micturition
- Anatomical factors
- Mucosal defence
- Antimicrobial properties of urine
- Renal defence mechanisms
What mucosal defence barriers are there in the urinary tract?
Antibody production
Surface GAG layer
Intrinsic mucosal antimicrobial properties
Exfoliation of cells
How is a urine culture performed?
2 micro-litres of undiluted urine place on blood agar and MacConkeys
What is the culture threshold value for UTI to be confirmed?
- > 100,000CFU/ml
- 200 colonies per 2 microlitres
Relapse of the same strain causes a UTI indicates what?
Treatment failure
Recurrence or reinfection of an animal with a new strain of bacteria cause UTI represents?
Animal susceptibility
Pyuria indicates what?
Increased number of WBCs in urine indicates inflammation which may be associated with infection
What is the best method for diagnosis of UTIs?
Quantitative culture on urine
How should a urine sample be preserved prior to culture?
Refrigerate and send to the lab ASAP
List 4 antimicrobials that are best for empirical use for UTI treatment…
Ampicillin
Potentiated amoxicillin
Cefalexin
TMPS
Prescribe a short course (5-7 days) of top-end dose range AB which is capable of killing E. Coli and Staph (most common)
What clinical signs would you expect to see in an animal with upper urinary tract infection?
Renal/lumbar pain
Haematuria
Septicaemia
