UTI's Flashcards
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the kidneys due to infection.
Cystitis
Inflammation of the bladder due to infection.
Upper UTI’s affect where?
Kidneys and ureter
Lower UTI’s affect where?
Bladder and urethra
Uncomplicated UTI
Uncomplicated UTI occurs in patients who have a normal, unobstructed genitourinary tract, who have no history of recent instrumentation, and whose symptoms are confined to the lower urinary tract. Uncomplicated UTIs are most common in young, sexually active women.
How do uncomplicated UTI’s respond to treatment?
Infections with get better without treatment failure using first line antibiotics.
Complicated UTI
A complicated UTI is an infection with an underlying condition, such as structural or functional abnormalities of the genitourinary tract which increases the risks of acquiring an infection or of failing therapy.
How are lower UTI’s usually caused?
Usually caused by an ascending infection where bacteria in the rectal area moves up the urethra and into the bladder causing cystitis.
What are the three main bacteria that commonly cause UTI’s?
E.coli, Klebsiella, Proteus species.
E.coli, Klebsiella, Proteus species are gram what?
Gram negative
What is the most common gram positive bacteria that causes UTI’s?
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
Who does Staphylococcus saprophyticus most commonly affect?
Young sexually active women
What are the main risk factors of UTI’s ?
Sexual intercourse Being female Post-menopausal women Foley catheter Diabetes Mellitus Impaired bladder emptying (increased dwelling times)
How does sexual intercourse cause UTI’s and why does this affect women more?
Bacteria enters the urethra. This affects women more because they have shorter urethra’s.
Why are post-menopausal women more at risk of UTI’s?
There is a decrease in oestrogen which causes the protective vaginal flora to be lost.
How does diabetes mellitus increase risk of having a UTI?
Hyperglycaemia inhibits the action of neutrophils so they cannot phagocytose the bacteria causing the UTI.
What are the symptoms of cystitis?
Suprapubic pain
Dysuria
Frequent urination and urgency
What are the symptoms of a UTI in infants?
Fever, fussy, feed poorly.
What are the symptoms of a UTI in elderly patients?
Fatigue, incontinence and delirium
What symptoms are suggestive of an upper UTI infection and not a lower?
Systemic signs - fever, nausea and vomitting.
Pain are the costovertebral angle.
Leukocytosis (high levels of wbc’s in blood)
What may be seen in the urinalysis of a lower UTI?
Pyuria (makes the urine appear cloudy).
Pyuria
White blood cells in the urine
What quantifies an abnormally high WBC in urine?
> 10wbc/ml
What may a dipstick show in cases of lower UTI?
Postive test for leukocyte esterase and nitrites.
Leukocyte esterase
Enzyme produced by white blood cells.
Why are nitrites present in lower UTI’s?
The gram negative bacteria produce nitrites.
What is the gold standard to testing for UTI’s?
Urine culture of bacteria
If the urine tests positive for Pyuria and negative for urine culture what is the condition?
Sterile pyuria