Urinary Tract Infection- Adults

A urinary tract infection is defined by a combination of clinical features and the presence of bacteria in the urine ( NICE 2014 )

Bacteriuria -bacteria present in urine- shown by culture or microscopy

Asymptomatic bacteriuria ( ABU ) -bacteria present in urine- shown by culture or microscopy

UTI -significant bacteriuria and characteristic symptoms and signs of UTI ie dysuria , frequency , suprapubic tenderness , urgency ,polyuria , haematuria

Lower UTI Infection of bladder Cystitis - used synonym for lower UTI( technically inflammation of bladder and can be non- infectious )

Upper UTI -Includes pyelitis - infection of proximal part of ureters andPyelonephritis - infection of kidneys and the proximal part of ureters

Recurrent UTIs- Repeated UTI due to Relapse ( same strain within a short period eg 2 weeks ) or Reinfection ( different strain or species more than 2 weeks after treatment )

Uncomplicated UTI- UTI by usual pathogen with a normal urinary tract and normal kidney function-further differentiated as lower UTIs ( cystitis ) and upper UTIs ( pyelonephritis )

Complicated UTI -UTIs associated with factors that compromise the UrTr or host defense ( these include urinary obstruction , urinary retention due to neurological disease ,...