Urinary tract infections Flashcards
What is the most common cause of urinary tract infection?
Bacterial infection
What is the most common pathogen leading to a urinary tract infection?
E.coli
. Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the renal parenchyma and collecting system,
usually due to infection
Cystitis
Inflammation of the bladder wall
Urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra
What physiological and mechanical defence mechanisms assist in
maintaining sterility and preventing UTIs?
Normal voiding with complete emptying of the bladder
• Normal antibacterial ability of the bladder mucosa and urine
• Vesicoureteric junction competence
• Peristaltic action that propels urine towards the bladder
Factors increasing urinary stasis
Stone, tumour of urinary tract
• Tumour, fibrosis compressing urinary tract
• Urinary retention
Foreign bodies
Urinary calculi
• Indwelling catheter
• Urethral stent
Anatomical factors
Congenital defects leading to obstruction or stasis
• Abnormal opening exposing urinary stream to skin, vagina, or
faecal stream
• Shorter female urethra
Factors compromising immune response
HIV
• Diabetes mellitus
Functional disorders
Constipation
• Voiding dysfunction
List the likely clinical manifestations of a urinary tract infection
Dysuria • Frequent urination • Urgency • Suprapubic discomfort or pressure • Haematuria • Flank pain, chills & presence of a fever with pyelonephritis