UTI Flashcards
What is UTI?
infection of bladder (also known as cystitis) usually caused by bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract
What is the usual natural course of acute uncomplicated UTI?
usually resolves within a few days
What are 5 risk factors for complicated UTI?
- older age - post-menopause
- Healthcare-associated UTI
- Presence of symptoms for more than a week before presentation
- pregnancy
- urinary catheterisation, other urologic instruemntation
- atypical or resistant infecting organisms
- pre-existing urological conditions e.g polycystic kidneys, renal transplant, calculi, obstruction, neurogenic bladder
- co-morbidities such as immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus
What are 5 complications of UTI?
- Ascending infection: pyelonephritis, renal and per-renal abscess
- Impaired renal function, renal failure
- Urosepsis
- In pregnancy: pre-term delivery
- Low birthweight
What are 6 clinical features of lower UTI?
- Dysuria
- Frequency
- Urgency
- Change in urine appearance - cloudy, change colour, frank haemturia
- Odour to urine
- Nocturia
- Suprapubic discomfort
In which particular group may typical features be absent in UTI? How might it present instead?
underlying cognitive impairment - may present with delirium and reduced functional ability
What are 2 other genitourinary conditions which may cause urinary symptoms?
- STIs
- Vaginal atrophy
In which group of patients can urine dipstick be used to aid diagnosis of UTI?
women <65 years who do not have risk factors for complicated UTI
What result on a urine dipstick makes UTI likely?
positive for nitrite or leukocyte and red blood cells
What urine dipstick result suggests UTI is equally likely to other diagnoses?
negative for nitrite and positive for luekocyte
What urine dipstick result suggests UTI is less likely?
negative for nitrite, leukocyte and RBC
When should urine dipstick not be used to diagnose UTI? 2 situations
- Catheterised women
- Women over 65 years
What are 8 situations when you should sent a urine sample for culture in suspected UTI?
- Pregnancy - and repeat sample following treatment should be sent to confirm cure
- Age >65 years
- Persistent symptoms or treatment failure
- Recurrent UTI
- Catheterised or recently been catheterised
- Risk factors for resistant or complicated UTI
- Visible or non-visible haematuria
- Atypical symptoms
What are the 4 key aspects of management of acute uncomplicated lower UTI?
- Giving advice on self-care measures (such as analgesia and hydration)
- Treatment with antibiotics (in most cases) - delayed script may be appropriate in non-pregnant women with mild symptoms and no risk factors for complicated infection
- Giving advice on when to seek medical review
- Reviewing choice of antibiotic when results are available
What additional investigation does the management of UTI in pregnancy involve?
repeat sample sent for culture following treatment to confirm
When might a delayed script for suspected UTI be suitable?
non-pregnant women with mild symptoms and no risk factors for complicated infection
What is the management of UTI in pregnancy? 3 aspects
- Women with asymptomatic bacteruria and suspected or proven UTI should be treated promptly with a 7-day course of antibiotics and followed up
- Urgent specialist advice should be sought for recurrent UTI, catheter associated UTI, atypical pathogens or if an underlying cause is suspected
- Antenatal services must be informed if group B streptococcal bacteriuria is identified
What are 4 situations when urgent specialist advice should be sought for UTI in pregnancy?
- Recurrent UTI
- Catheter-associated UTI
- Atypical pathogens
- Underlying cause is suspected
What is the management of persistent haematuria following treatment of UTI?
must be followed up; possible underlying causes e.g. malignancy should be considered, and appropriate referral made
What is the management of recurent UTI? 2 key aspects
- Referral should be made if: cause unknown, woman catheterised, malignancy suspected
- Preventative measures such as behaviour and personal hygiene should be discussed - topical vaginal oestrogen and antibiotic prophylaxis may be appropriate
What is the definition of uncomplicated UTI?
UTI caused by typical pathogens in people with normal urinary tract and kidney function, and no predisposing co-morbidities
What is the definition of complicated UTI?
increased likelihood of complications such as persistent infection, treatment failure and recurrent infection
What are 5 risk factors for complicated UTI?
- Structural or neurological abnormalities
- Urinary catheters
- Virulent or atypical infecting organisms
- Poorly contorlled diabetes mellitus
- Immunosuppression
What is upper UTI?
infection of upper part of urinary tract: ureters and kidneys (i.e. pyelonephritis)
What is the definition of recurrent UTI?
two or more episodes of UTI in six months OR
three or more episodes in one year
What are 2 reasons that recurrent UTI can occur?
- Relapse - infection due to same strain of organism
- Reinfection - infection due to different organism
What is the definition of catheter associated UTI?
symptomatic infection of the bladder or kidneys in a person who is catheterised or who has had a urinary catheter in place within the previous 48 hours
What is the recommended management of asymptomatic bacteriuria in non-pregnant women with a catheter in situ/in past 48h?
does not routinely need treatment
What is the definition of asymptomatic bacteriuria?
presence of significant levels of bacteria in the urine in a person without signs of symptoms of UTI
What factor increases the likelihood of bacteria being found in the urine of a catherised woman?
longer it has been in, more likely bacteria will be found
What are 3 ways that bacteria can enter the urinary tract?
- Retrograde - ascent through urethra
- Via blood stream - if immunosuppressed
- Direct - e.g. insertion of catheter, instrumentation, surgery
What is the most common pathogen causing UTI?
Escherichia coli (70-95%)
What are 5 additional causative agents of UTI in addition to E. Coli?
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus (5-10%)
- Proteus mirabilis (males - renal tract abnormalities e.g. calculi)
- Klebsiella
- Lancefeld Group B streptococci (in some women)
- Candida - catheters/immunosuppressed/contamination
In which group is proteus mirabilis a possible cause of UTI?
Males, associated with renal tract abnormalities, particularly calculi