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Urinary tract infection in Adult
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Urinary tract infection in Adult

Contributors: Sasan Sazgar MD, Mohamad Jandali MD, Mohammad Telfah MD, Nayef El-Daher MD, PhD, Zaw Min MD, FACP
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

This summary discusses urinary tract infection in adults and children. Urinary tract infection in neonates and infants is addressed separately.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a general term that describes infection anywhere in the urinary system. UTI can be further subclassified by the exact location of the infection, presence or absence of symptoms, and complications. In everyday practice, these classifications are subject to significant overlap and cause clinical confusion.

Definitions
  • Bacteriuria – Presence of bacteria in the urine.
  • Asymptomatic bacteriuria – Presence of >105 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL urine in the absence of symptoms.
  • Cystitis – Syndrome involving constellation of dysuria, frequency, urgency, and occasionally suprapubic tenderness; can be present in the setting of lower urinary tract inflammation in the absence of infection or urethritis.
  • Acute pyelonephritis – Clinical syndrome characterized by flank pain, flank tenderness, and fever often associated with cystitis symptoms in the presence of significant bacteriuria. Triad of pyelonephritis (flank pain, fever, and nausea/vomiting) can have noninfectious etiologies like renal calculi and renal infarction.
  • Uncomplicated UTI – UTI in a structurally and neurologically normal urinary tract.
  • Complicated UTI – UTI in the presence of anatomical or functional abnormalities. In general, UTIs in men, pregnant individuals, children, and patients in a health care-associated setting may be considered complicated.
  • Urosepsis – Sepsis caused by a UTI.
Incidence and Prevalence
  • The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteruria increases in the female population once adulthood is reached, with a female-to-male ratio approaching 30:1.
  • After the age of 65 the female-to-male ratio steadily declines while the prevalence rises consistently in both sexes; asymptomatic bacteriuria is much more common than symptomatic UTI.
  • Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant individuals is estimated to be 1.9%-9.5%.
Risk Factors
Both sexes:
  • History of previous UTIs
  • History of urologic instrumentation and surgery
  • History of urethral catheterization
  • Urinary tract obstruction
  • Neurogenic bladder
  • Renal transplantation
  • Functional or mental impairment (in elderly)
In women:
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Low socioeconomic status
  • Sexual intercourse
  • Lack of urination after intercourse
  • Spermicidal contraceptive jellies
  • Diaphragm use
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell trait in pregnancy
  • Estrogen deficiency
  • Bladder prolapse
In men:
  • Insertive anal intercourse
  • Condom catheter drainage
Etiology
  • The most common infecting organisms are Escherichia coli (70%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (7%), and Enterococcus spp. (6%) in community-acquired infections. Staphylococcus saprophyticus accounts for 5%-15% of UTIs in young sexually active women in the United States.
  • Patients admitted to hospitals and long-term care facilities have a higher number of Proteus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus isolates compared with outpatients. Anaerobic organisms are rarely the cause of UTIs.
  • Uncommon organisms include Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Pathogenesis
  • Ascending route – In the majority of the UTIs, pathogens gain access to the urinary tract by ascending up the urethra to the bladder. Further ascent of pathogens is the cause of the majority of renal parenchymal infections. Urethral massage and sexual intercourse facilitate the first step of this process in females. Indwelling catheters facilitate ascent, and spermicides promote vaginal colonization with pathogens.
  • Hematogenous route – Associated with abscess formation in the kidneys. Usually results from bacteremia with virulent pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, or possibly Candida. Infection of the kidney with gram-negative bacilli through a hematogenous route is rare in humans, although ascending pyelonephritis can lead to bacteremia in 20%-30% of cases.
Signs and Symptoms
Strong diagnostic indicators of UTI include self diagnosis, hematuria, urinary frequency, costovertebral angle tenderness on physical exam, back pain, and fever. Poor diagnostic indicators include vaginal discharge and vaginal irritation.

Codes

ICD10CM:
N39.0 – Urinary tract infection, site not specified

SNOMEDCT:
68566005 – Urinary tract infectious disease

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

  • Vaginitis (see also vulvovaginal candidiasis) – Presents with vaginal discharge and itching, both of which have negative likelihood ratios for UTI diagnosis.
  • Urethritis – May present with a cystitis triad (dysuria, frequency, and urgency), but urine culture will be negative. Look for a negative nitrite test and absence of pyuria; there is often a urethral discharge.
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease – Usually accompanied by deep-seated abdominal or pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, and fever.

Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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Drug Reaction Data

Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.

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References

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Last Updated:08/08/2021
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Patient Information for Urinary tract infection in Adult
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Contributors: Medical staff writer

Overview

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is the spread of bacteria anywhere in the urinary system. A UTI typically begins when bacteria enters the urethra and multiplies in the bladder, where urine collects. The UTI can be in the kidneys, bladder, ureter, or urethra, but they mostly occur in the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder). Recurrent UTIs without complications are common in young, healthy women. However, anyone can get a UTI.

Who’s At Risk

Some risk factors for UTIs include:
  • History of previous UTI
  • Frequent sexual activity with difficulty urinating after intercourse
  • Use of spermicidal agents or diaphragms as birth control
  • After menopause, experiencing estrogen deficiency
  • Blockage to the urinary tract such as a kidney stone
  • Diseases that suppress your immune system or transplant surgery
  • Diabetes mellitus or bladder prolapse
  • Urinary procedures or urinary catheter use

A woman's shorter urethra is more susceptible to infection, but men get UTIs too.

Signs & Symptoms

UTIs do not always occur with symptoms, but when they do, a UTI can cause:
  • Burning or painful sensation when urinating
  • Persistent urge to urinate
  • Cloudy or pink urine
  • Strong-smelling urine
  • Pelvic pain for women
  • Fever

Self-Care Guidelines

These guidelines should be followed when you have a UTI  or want to avoid getting a UTI:
  • Drink lots of water to help clear bacteria from your urine
  • Stay away from irritating beverages such as coffee, citrus juice, alcohol, and soft drinks
  • After a bowel movement, be careful to wipe front to back so bacteria is not spread to the urethra and bladder
  • Use a warm heating pad for short periods of time for bladder pain relief
  • Nonprescription pain relief may be helpful (Tylenol, Motrin, Advil)
Avoid cranberry juice if you are taking blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, or any medications that may impact the liver.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact your health care provider when you have signs or symptoms of UTI, especially flank pain, back pain, fever, blood in the urine, painful urination, nausea and vomiting, and urinary urgency and frequency.

Treatments

Your doctor may prescribe medication for your UTI:
  • A complete course of oral antibiotics for infection; in more severe cases, antibiotics may be administered by tube
  • Prescription medication for bladder pain
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Urinary tract infection in Adult
A medical illustration showing key findings of Urinary tract infection (Acute Pyelonephritis) : Chills, Fever, Flank pain, Vomiting, Hematuria, Pyuria, Dysuria, Suprapubic pain, CVA tenderness, WBC elevated, Leukocyte esterase positive
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.