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Questions and Answers
Who is especially prone to urinary tract infections?
Who is especially prone to urinary tract infections?
What is the most common microorganism associated with urinary tract infections?
What is the most common microorganism associated with urinary tract infections?
Which symptom is commonly associated with urinary tract infections?
Which symptom is commonly associated with urinary tract infections?
Which risk factor contributes to the higher incidence of urinary tract infections in women?
Which risk factor contributes to the higher incidence of urinary tract infections in women?
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What is the most common causative agent of urethritis?
What is the most common causative agent of urethritis?
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What is a recommended preventive measure for diabetics to reduce the risk of UTIs?
What is a recommended preventive measure for diabetics to reduce the risk of UTIs?
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Which condition is referred to as a bladder infection?
Which condition is referred to as a bladder infection?
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What follows once the causative pathogen of a UTI is identified?
What follows once the causative pathogen of a UTI is identified?
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What serious complication can untreated cystitis lead to?
What serious complication can untreated cystitis lead to?
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Which of the following statements about fungal infections of the urinary tract is correct?
Which of the following statements about fungal infections of the urinary tract is correct?
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Which bacterium is primarily responsible for pyelonephritis?
Which bacterium is primarily responsible for pyelonephritis?
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How are urinary tract infections primarily caused?
How are urinary tract infections primarily caused?
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What disease can follow an oral streptococcal or viral infection and cause kidney damage?
What disease can follow an oral streptococcal or viral infection and cause kidney damage?
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What is the significance of urine culture and sensitivity testing in UTIs?
What is the significance of urine culture and sensitivity testing in UTIs?
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What is a common source of urinary tract infections in older or hospitalized patients?
What is a common source of urinary tract infections in older or hospitalized patients?
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Which intervention can help prevent urinary tract infections in both men and women?
Which intervention can help prevent urinary tract infections in both men and women?
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Study Notes
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- UTIs are common bacterial infections, increasingly challenging due to antimicrobial resistance. They sometimes overlap with sexually transmitted diseases. Women are more prone due to a shorter urethra.
Urinary System Structures
- The urinary system includes kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Symptoms of UTIs
- Common symptoms include urgency to urinate, dysuria (painful urination), frequent urination with small amounts, and blood/pus or cloudy/strong-smelling urine. Also possible are nausea/vomiting, irritability, and mental status changes.
Types of UTIs
Urethritis
- Infection limited to the urethra.
- Common causative agents include E. coli, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Trichomonas vaginalis, Enterococci, and Candida albicans. Catheter use is a source in older or hospitalized patients.
Cystitis
- Infection in the urinary bladder (bladder infection).
- Usually caused by E. coli. Bacteria travel up the urethra, potentially via catheters.
- Inflammation can occur. Untreated cystitis can spread to kidneys, causing more severe infection. Treatment involves fluids and antimicrobial drugs.
Pyelonephritis
- Kidney infection.
- Can cause extensive and permanent damage. Primarily caused by E. coli.
Leptospirosis
- Caused by Leptospira interrogans, a zoonotic organism.
- Reservoir animals include dogs, cats, and rats.
- Transmitted by skin/mucosal contact from urine-contaminated water. Many cases are asymptomatic.
Glomerulonephritis
- Inflammation and damage to kidney glomeruli. Implicated as an immune complex disorder.
- Often follows streptococcal or viral infections.
- Can cause permanent kidney damage and can be fatal. Antigen-antibody complexes in kidneys cause inflammation and damage. Nephrotic syndrome is a possible outcome with edema and proteinuria.
Diagnosis of UTIs
- A "clean catch" urine sample is collected for evaluation.
- Antibiotic sensitivity testing is performed (organism susceptibility is determined via streaking on blood agar).
Risk Factors for UTIs
- Diabetics: Poor glucose and blood pressure control.
- Patients with catheters: Frequent catheter and surrounding area cleaning; prompt catheter removal.
- Infants/children with urinary tract abnormalities: Early identification and corrective procedures.
- Women: Anatomical proximity of urethra to anus.
- Men (under 50): Relatively low occurrence. Uncircumcised men have higher risk.
Prevention of UTIs
- Diabetics: Control glucose and blood pressure.
- Catheter patients: Frequent cleaning; removal ASAP.
- Infants/children: Early diagnosis, corrective surgery or procedures.
- General measures: Avoid resisting urination, cleanse genitals before intercourse, urinate after intercourse, and drink ample water daily.
Treatment of UTIs
- Specific antibiotics are used after identifying the causative pathogen.
- Patient health is a part of treatment.
- Symptoms typically clear within days.
- Antibiotics may continue for a week to prevent recurrence. Severe cases or frequent recurrence may require hospitalization and IV antibiotics.
Bacterial UTIs
- Many organisms cause UTIs, but Escherichia coli is most common.
- Infection may remain in the urethra or spread to the bladder/kidneys.
- Infection location defines the type of UTI. Nearly all UTIs are caused by bacteria.
Viral, Fungal, and Parasitic Infections
- Viral UTIs (e.g., Polyomaviruses JC and BK, Cytomegalovirus, Adenovirus) are uncommon.
- Fungal infections (primarily Candida species) usually affect the bladder/kidneys from catheters or the bloodstream.
- Parasitic infections (e.g., Trichomonas vaginalis, Schistosoma haematobium) are infrequent.
Summary
- E. coli is the most common organism associated with UTIs, but Mycoplasma and Chlamydia are significant contributors.
- Urine cultures and sensitivity tests are crucial for diagnosis.
- Infections often start in the urethra and can migrate to the bladder and kidneys.
- Women are at higher risk due to urethra length and proximity to the anus.
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