Urinary Tract Infections Flashcards
What is a urinary tract infection?
It’s the inflammatory response of urothelium (epithelium lining the urinary tract) to bacterial invasion - usually associated with bacteriuria (bacteria in urine) and pyuria (pus in urine).
Give 2 examples of lower urinary tract infections.
Urethritis. Cystitis. Prostatitis.
Give 2 examples of upper urinary tract infections.
Pyelonephritis. Intrarenal/perinephric abscess (pus material around the kidneys).
Give 3 risk factors for urinary tract infections.
Previous UTI. Catheterisation. Upper tract obstruction. Renal transplant. Males higher risk. Pregnancy. Diabetes mellitus. Bladder/renal stones. Chronic kidney disease.
What are the two types of bacteria?
Cocci. Bacilli (rods).
Give examples of 2 gram positive bacteria.
Cocci - staphylococcus, streptococcus, enterococcus.
Bacilli (rods) - c. urealyticum, lactobacillus
Give examples of 2 gram negative bacteria.
Cocci - neisseria
Bacilli (rods) - escherichia, e. coli, klebisella, proteus, bacteriodes
What STD is frequently screened for via a pelvic exam?
Chlamydia trachomatis.
What is meant by virulence?
Quantitative measure of pathogenicity (likelihood of a pathogen to cause disease).
Give 3 features of a urinary tract infection.
Dysuria. Frequency. Urgency. Pain.
Give 2 triggers of a urinary tract infection.
Sexual intercourse. STI. Poor oral intake.
What two things in a urine dipstick test would suggest a urinary tract infection?
Leucocytes. Nitrites.
What further investigations could be carried out post a mid-stream urine sample?
Ultrasound. Cytoscopy (tube to look inside the bladder).
