Week 10 - Topic 1: UTIs Flashcards
Why are women at a higher risk of fecal flora colonization in the urinary tract?
Women’s urethra is a lot shorter (4 cm vs 20 cm for men)
What are the normal flora of the vagina?
Candida spp*
Gardnerella vaginalis*
Lactobacillus Streptococcus Staphylococcus Bacteriodes Klebsiella Proteus
Why are elderly women more at risk for an UTI?
Women at menopause or with lower estrogen have vaginal cells that produce less glycogen, converted into lactic acid by lactobacillus, which creates an acidic environment and inhibits the growth of pathogens.
What are opportunistic urinary pathogens?
E coli* Klebsiella spp* Porteus spp* Pseudomonas Staph saprophyticus
*common
What is candiduria?
The amount of yeast (fungi) in the urinary tract that reaches a certain threshold
What are two things that increase the chance of having candiduria?
1) Use of broad-spectrum Abx
2) Long term indwelling urinary catheters
What are 3 factors that inhibit bacterial growth in the urine?
1) Low pH (acidic)
2) High urea concentration
3) High osmolality
What are virulence factors of bacteria that cause UTIs?
- Pili (fimbriae) for adhesion –> E coli, Proteus, Pseudomonas
- Flagella to move upstream –> E coli, N gonorrheae
Name some host risk factors for UTI
Change in urine pH (diet, medication, disease)
pH changes in vagina (pregnancy, menopause, douches)
Increase in fecal flora around the urethra
Illnesses (diabetes, polycystic kidneys, renal transplants)
Obstruction/non functional urinary system
Inadequate fluid intake
Device in place (Foley)
To have an UTI, you must have a significant + urine culture and what other sx?
Urgency/frequency
Dysuria
Suprapubic pain or flank pain in the kidney area
Pyuria
What are some non-specific sx for an UTI?
Fever
Lethargy or changes in mental status
Nausea, vomiting
What are some signs that not indicative of a UTI?
Strong smelling urine
Cloudy urine
Incontinence
Retention
True or False: Your PT has cloudy urine. Do you send a urine culture?
False
What are causes for cloudy urine?
- Dehydration
- Food dyes
- Drugs/vitamines (Vit B, C)
- Blood (from kidney stones)
- Mucus
What is ABUTI?
Asymptomatic bacteriuria –> bacteria in urine with no sx
Who is more likely to have ABUTI?
- Elderly PT
- PT with spinal cord injury
- PT with indwelling urinary catheters
We don’t usually treat cases of ABUTI. Name 2 exceptions
1) Prior to urological procedures
2) Pregnant women
What are some sequelae (consequences) with UTI?
Secondary bacteremia
Damage to the urinary tract –> urethritis
Relapse (from same pathogen)
How do you prevent UTIs in people with no foley?
- Clean perineum (F: wipe front to back after pooping, M: clean foreskin)
- Refrain from vaginal douches
- Use birth control other than diaphragms
True or False: Peeing after sex, drinking 2-4L of fluid/day and drinking cranberry juice can prevent UTIs
Neither, it is controversial advice
When are the 2 instances to culture urine?
1) When there is an order
2) Before starting Abx
What urine tests are performed?
1) Microscopic urine analysis
2) Dipstick (at the bedside)
3) Culture ‘n’ sensitivity
How do we minimize contamination during urine culture/sample?
1) Use a sterile leak proof container
(clean catch midstream, aseptic NTT for in and out catheterization or disinfect sampling port for foley)
2) Transport immediately or refrigerate
How do you collect a urine sample from a foley?
- Drain the urine from tubing
- Clamp
- Wait for fresh urine
- Disinfect sampling port prior to sample
How do we do a lab microscopic analysis of urine?
Centrifuge urine and assess the sediments under a high power field (HPF) while looking for:
casts, cells, crystals, bacteria/yeast