Urogenit Tract Infect.  2016 Dec;11(3):93-96. 10.14777/uti.2016.11.3.93.

How Do You Diagnose Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections and Confirm the Diagnosis?

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Urology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea. urobae@genetherapy.or.kr

Abstract

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most prevalent conditions affected mainly by reinfection by the same bacteria in young women with no functional or anatomic problem. Recurrent UTIs present both storage (dysuria, irritative etc.) and voiding symptoms. For example, frequency subsequently followed by sexual intercourse is a powerful predictor of recurrent UTI. In patients with morbid situations or other factors, recurrent complicated infections or sepsis may be aggravated. Escherichia coli is the most common organism responsible for UTIs, but Pseudomonas, Proteus, Klebsiella, and other organisms are also frequent, particularly, in patients higher risk of complicated infections. Urine culture is not often needed to diagnose typical uncomplicated infection. Generally, urine culture with more than 10² colony-forming units/ml is used to diagnose UTIs in symptomatic patients. Recurrent UTIs could be managed with several techniques with the help of urine culture and by imaging studies when suspicious of anatomical abnormalities.

Keyword

Urinary tract infection; Culture; Anti-bacterial agents

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacteria
Coitus
Diagnosis*
Escherichia coli
Female
Humans
Klebsiella
Proteus
Pseudomonas
Sepsis
Urinary Tract Infections*
Urinary Tract*
Anti-Bacterial Agents

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