UTIs Flashcards
urinary tract infection
bacterial colonization of lower urinary tract with characteristic clinical signs
cystitis
bladder inflammation
bacterial cystitis
bacterial bladder infection
subclinical bacteriuria
presence of bacteria in urine (positive urine culture) without clinical signs
is subclinical bacteriuria more common in cats or dogs
dogs - usually with concurrent comorbidities
RARE in cats
is subclinical bacteriuria commonly treated
no - usually no treated unless it is a urease producing bacteria, systemic disease, or azotemic
hematuria
blood in the urine
pollakiuria
small amounts of urine, frequently
dysuria
painful urinations
periuria
inappropriate urinations
stranguria
straining to urinate
polyuria
increased volume of urine
urinary incontinence
unconscious urine leaking (increased sense of urgency)
is systemic disease a sign of a UTI
NO - a sign of pyelonephritis or prostatitis
sporadic bacterial cystitis
three or less UTIs in one year
NO known urinary tract/systemic comorbidities
recurrent UTIs
greater than three UTIs in one year
often associated with comorbidities
can be reinfection or relapse
reinfection vs relapse
reinfection: urinary tract was sterile then reinfected with NEW organisms
relapse: (persistent) urinary tract was NOT completely sterilized, recurs with the same organism
are UTIs more common in dogs or cats
dogs
what bacteria are dogs most susceptible to
E. coli
staphylococcus
what do cats with lower urinary tract signs typically have
feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)
what are the physical exam findings of UTI
mostly normal - possibly thickened bladder, firm urethra, check prostate and vulva
defense against UTIs: urine
antimicrobial properties - high osmolality, highly acidic (low pH)
defense against UTIs: urethra
hydrokinetic washout
high pressure urination helps clear bacteria out from urethra
defense against UTIs: bladder
hydrokinetic washout, bactericidal (immunoglobulins)
defense against UTIs: ureters
unidirectional flow and peristaltic waves
ureters enter bladder at an angle
what can bacteria produce/what properties do bacteria have to promote UTIs
- urease
- beta lactamase
- flagella
- fimbria
- R-plasmids
urease
enzyme produced by certain pathogens that hydrolyzes urea to ammonia
ammonia causes direct urothelial injury
uroepithelium
bladder lining made of umbrella cells on the surface with basal cells below
bacteria hold on to umbrella cells, some can burrow down to basal layers to relapse
UTI on urinalysis
WBC (pyuria) + bacteriuria
pyuria not always present
bacteriuria > 1,000
RBC + proteinuria common but NOT indicative
susceptibility testing
identifies the type of bacteria in the urine and which antibiotics will work
minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
in vitro measure of inhibition of bacterial growth
measures the least amount of antibiotic needed to inhibit 90% bacterial growth
where do most antibiotics concentrate
urine
need normal GFR to be efficacious
treatment for sporadic UTIs
treat for 3-5 days
amoxicillin, clavamox, trimethoprim-sulfa
treatment for recurrent UTIs
treat for 7-14 days
AB depends on susceptibility testing
NSAIDS while waiting for results
host predispositions to UTIs
- exposure to bacteria
- micturition problems
- anatomic predispositions
- systemic disease
are UTIs common in horses
not as primary condition, usually secondary to something else
usually E. coli
are UTIs common in cows
yes; commonly progresses to pyelonephritis
E. coli
are UTIs common in rabbits
yes; does not commonly progress to pyelonephritis
causes GI stasis syndrome
E. coli, pasteurella
