Urinary Tract

Infection
29-year-old Woman with History of Burning with Test case
Urination
A 29-year-old woman comes to the clinic complaining of a
3-day history of burning with urination and increased urinary
frequency. She has suprapubic discomfort but no new vaginal
discharge. She is in a monogamous relationship with her husband
and has been sexually active with her last sexual encounter 3 days
ago. Her last menstrual period was 1 week prior.

On exam, she is afebrile, blood pressure is 118/72 mm HG, pulse

70/min. Her exam is remarkable for mild suprapubic tenderness to
palpation, no costovertebral (CVA) tenderness to palpation or
percussion, the remainder of the exam is normal.

Labs: What is the most likely

Urine analysis: Specific gravity 1.020, trace blood, leukocyte cause of her symptoms?
esterase positive, nitrite positive
29-year-old Woman with History of Burning with Test case
Urination Cystitis
A 29-year-old woman comes to the clinic complaining of a
3-day history of burning with urination and increased urinary
frequency. She has suprapubic discomfort but no new vaginal
discharge. She is in a monogamous relationship with her
husband and has been sexually active with her last sexual Urinary tract infection (UTI)
encounter 3 days ago. Her last menstrual period was 1 week
prior.

On exam, she is afebrile, blood pressure is 118/72 mm HG,

pulse 70/min. Her exam is remarkable for mild suprapubic Isolated cystitis
tenderness to palpation, no costovertebral (CVA) tenderness to
palpation or percussion, the remainder of the exam is normal.

Labs: Infection due to gram

Urine analysis: Specific gravity 1.020, trace blood, leukocyte negative organisms (most
esterase positive, nitrite positive commonly E. coli)
29-year-old Woman with History of Burning with Test case
Urination
Labs: Infection due to gram
Urine analysis: Specific gravity 1.020, trace blood, leukocyte negative organisms (most
esterase positive, nitrite positive commonly E. coli)

What is the most likely cause of her symptoms?

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection/cystitis

What is most appropriate next step in management?

Empiric antibiotic therapy with nitrofurantoin or

trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
Terminology and Definitions

Cystitis Pyelonephritis

Infection of the bladder/lower Infection of the kidney/

urinary tract upper urinary tract

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI)

Infection in the urinary tract where there is no functional or

anatomical anomalies, functional impairment, or concomitant
disease that would promote the UTI
Terminology and Definitions

Complicated UTI Asymptomatic bacteriuria

Infection associated with structural or Presence of 2 separate consecutive

functional abnormalities of the clean-voided urine specimens with 105
genitourinary tract or presence of or more CFU per milliliter of the same
underlying disease that increases risk of bacteria in the absence of symptoms
acquiring an infection
Who Is Vulnerable to
UTI?

Categorized into 5 demographic populations:

1. Urinary infection in children

2. Women with uncomplicated cystitis

3. Women with recurrent cystitis

4. Complicated urinary tract infections

5. Asymptomatic bacteriuria
Pathogenesis of UTI: Uncomplicated
Infection

• Uropathogens present in rectal

flora enter the bladder via the
urethra

• Increased frequency in women due

to smaller distance between anus
and urethral meatus

Urethra Anus
Pathogenesis of UTI: Uncomplicated
Infection

Host determinants:

Behavioral: Genetic: Biologic:

• Sexual intercourse • Innate and adaptive • Post-menopausal

immune response state
• Recent antimicrobial
use • Increased epithelial • Glycosuria
adherence of some
• Suboptimal voiding bacteria
habits
• Prior history
of recurrent cystitis
Pathogenesis of UTI: Complicated
Infection

• Same risk factors and host determinants from uncomplicated UTI play a role in
complicated UTI

• In addition – structural/functional abnormalities of the genitourinary tract

• Obstruction or stasis of urine outflow

• Impaired host defense

Pathogenesis of UTI: Complicated
Infection

Association with diabetes mellitus

Emphysematous Xanthogranulomatous
Renal abscess
pyelonephritis pyelonephritis
29-year-old Woman with History of Burning with Test case
Urination
A 29-year-old woman comes to the clinic complaining of a Cystitis
3-day history of burning with urination and increased urinary
frequency. She has suprapubic discomfort but no new vaginal
discharge. She is in a monogamous relationship with her
husband and has been sexually active with her last sexual Urinary tract infection (UTI)
encounter 3 days ago.

On exam, she is afebrile, BP is 118/72 mm HG, pulse 70. Her

exam is remarkable for mild suprapubic tenderness to Isolated cystitis
palpation, no costovertebral (CVA) tenderness to palpation or
percussion.

Labs:
Urine analysis: specific gravity 1.020, trace blood, leukocyte Infection due to gram
esterase positive, nitrite positive negative organisms (most
commonly, E. coli)
29-year-old Woman with History of Burning with Test case
Urination
What microbial agent most likely caused her
cystitis?

Escherichia
coli

What if the patient was a 68-year-old man

hospitalized with a urinary catheter?

Nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections

Need coverage for Methicillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Bacterial Etiology of Urinary Tract
Infections
Urinary tract infection (%) Urinary tract infection (%)
Gram- Gram-
negative Uncomplicated Complicated positive Uncomplicated Complicated
organisms organisms

Escherichi 70–95 21–54 Coagulase- 5–20 or more 1–4

a coli negative
staphylococci
Proteus 1–2 1–10 (S.
mirabilis saprophyticu
1–2 2–17 s)
Klebsiella
species Enterococci 1–2 1–23
Citrobacter <1 5
species Group B <1 1–4
streptococci
Enterobacter <1 2–10
species Staphylococcu <1 1–2
s aureus
Pseudomona <1 2–19
s aeruginosa Other <1 2
Other <1 6–20
Clinical Manifestations of UTI: Patient
Presentation
Cystitis

• Dysuria, urgency, frequency, suprapubic

pain and hematuria

Pyelonephritis

• Fever, chills, flank pain, costovertebral

angle tenderness, nausea/vomiting and
pain in lower abdomen

• May not always have symptoms of cystitis

Clinical Manifestations of UTI: Patient
Presentation

Atypical presentations in complicated UTI

• Prostatitis in men – symptoms of cystitis

accompanied by pelvic pain

• Elderly – generalized signs/symptoms of

infection

• Fever, chills, altered mental status

Diagnosis of UTI – Physical
Exam

Physical exam Left

Right
• Costovertebral angle tenderness,
abdominal and suprapubic
tenderness

• Digital rectal exam to evaluate for

edematous prostate  prostatitis in
men with pelvic/perineal pain
Diagnosis of UTI – Physical
Exam

Physical exam

• Costovertebral angle tenderness,

abdominal and suprapubic
tenderness

• Digital rectal exam to evaluate for

edematous prostate  prostatitis in
men with pelvic/perineal pain
Diagnosis of UTI –
Laboratories

Urine analysis/urine dipstick

• Leukocyte esterase  indicates white

blood cells present in urine

• Nitrites  presence of gram-negative

bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae)
Diagnosis of
UTI

Urine microscopy

• White blood cells (pyuria)  indicates

inflammation/infection

• White blood cell cast  indicates

inflammation in the renal parenchyma
(kidney)

• Red blood cells (hematuria)  may be

present with significant inflammation of
the bladder epithelium
Diagnosis of
UTI

Urine culture

• Definitive diagnosis

• 105 or more colony-forming units per

milliliter of a uropathogen
Treatment of UTI
Outpatient: Complicated/inpatient treatment:
• 3 to 7-day antibiotic regimen • 10 to 14-day antibiotic
regimen
• E. coli, and other common gram-negative
bacteria • Urine culture is critical for
• successful treatment
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin,
or fosfomycin

• Avoid routine use of broader agents

(fluoroquinolones)

• S. saprophyticus (same as above)

• Enterococcus species

• Amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic
acid
Urinary Tract
Infection
Special populations
Urinary Infection in Children

♂ ♀ < ♂ ♀
In first year of life After first year of life

• More common in boys than girls • More frequent in girls than boys
• Associated with congenital • Most present as acute cystitis
anomalies of the urinary tract

Vesicoureteral reflux should be excluded.

Urinary Infection in Children
Diagnosis

• Voiding cystourethrogram, ultrasound, or CT scan

• Obtained in first episode of pyelonephritis, UTI in boy or girl < 3 years, or recurrent
infections in girls > 3 years

Treatment:

• Acute cystitis: 3–7 days standard antimicrobials

• Pyelonephritis: 10–14 days antimicrobial treatment tailored to urine culture and

antimicrobial sensitivity

• Avoid Fluoroquinolones in < 16 years

Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis in Young
Women
Symptoms:
• Dysuria, frequency, urgency and
suprapubic pain (cystitis)
• Associated with sexual
intercourse
Differential diagnosis:
• Acute urethritis (Chlamydia trachomatis,
Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
• Vaginitis (Candida, Trichomonas
vaginalis)

Empiric treatment:
• Outpatient standard therapy

• If symptoms persist or recur  urine culture and sensitivity

Recurrent Uncomplicated Cystitis in Young
Women

• Due to persistence of initially infecting strain

• Long-term management  improve quality of life while minimizing antimicrobial exposure

Behavioral treatment:

• Increase fluid intake

• Avoid spermicides

• Ensure post-coital voiding

Recurrent Uncomplicated Cystitis in Young
Women
Antimicrobial prophylaxis:

• Shown to reduce risk of recurrent cystitis

by ~95%

• Consider if > 3 infections within 12 months

or if perceives significant reduction in
quality of life by recurrent infection

• Continuous prophylaxis

• Intermittent self-treatment

• Postcoital prophylaxis
45-year-old Woman in ER with Acute Onset of Test case
Fever
A 45-year-old woman is brought to the Emergency Department by
her husband for acute onset of fever and shaking chills/rigors. She
has had nausea, emesis, and has not been able to eat or drink without
vomiting. She notes right flank pain and describes some vague
abdominal discomfort. She believes she may have had some
increased frequency and urgency to void the day prior. Her last
menstrual period was 2 weeks prior.
Exam: Ill-appearing, temperature elevated to 39.1°C (102.4°F),
blood pressure is 98/68 mm HG, pulse 101/min, respiratory rate
28/min, right CVA tenderness to percussion, remainder of exam is
What is the most likely
normal
diagnosis in this patient?
Labs: White count elevated 18 x 109 with increased neutrophils on
differential. Urine analysis: Trace blood, leukocyte esterase
positive, nitrite positive, > 40 WBC/HPF, bacteria present
Urine and blood cultures are pending.
45-year-old Woman in ER with Acute Onset of Test case
Fever
A 45-year-old woman is brought to the Emergency Department
Indication of inpatient
by her husband for acute onset of fever and shaking treatment
chills/rigors. She has had nausea, emesis, and has not been
able to eat or drink without vomiting. She notes right flank pain
and describes some vague abdominal discomfort. She believes she
may have had some increased frequency and urgency to void the
day prior. Her last menstrual period was 2 weeks prior.
SIRS/sepsis and requires
Exam: Ill-appearing, temperature elevated to 39.1°C
inpatient admission
blood pressure is 98/68 mm HG, pulse 101/min, (102.4°F),
respiratory rate
28/min, right CVA tenderness to percussion, remainder of
exam is normal

Labs: White count elevated 18 x 10 9 with increased neutrophils Pyelonephritis

on differential. Urine analysis: Trace blood, leukocyte esterase
positive, nitrite positive, > 40 WBC/HPF, bacteria present
Urine and blood cultures are pending.
45-year-old Woman in ER with Acute Onset of Test case
Fever
What is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

Acute pyelonephritis

Can this patient be treated safely outpatient?

No – because of the following:

• Cannot keep fluids or medications down due to emesis

• Meets criteria for sepsis/systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

Complicated Urinary Tract Infections

Acute pyelonephritis Prostatitis

Emphysematous
Catheter associated
pyelonephritis

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis
Complicated UTI – Acute
Pyelonephritis

Symptoms Diagnosis/treatment

• Fever (> 38°C), chills, flank/ • Urine analysis, urine culture and
abdominal pain, nausea, and sensitivity
emesis, +/- cystitis symptoms
• Presentations vary from mild to
sepsis with renal failure
Complicated UTI – Acute
Pyelonephritis
Treatment

Indication for hospitalization Antimicrobial therapy

• Persistently high fever > 38.4°C Outpatient treatment

• Inability to maintain oral hydration •Oral fluoroquinolone
or take oral medications
Inpatient treatment
• Marked debility
• Ceftriaxone
• If pseudomonal coverage needed:
piperacillin-tazobactam,
cefepime/ceftazidime or
fluoroquinolone
Complicated UTI –
Prostatitis
• Occurs in 25% of men during lifetime

• Common microorganisms include gram-

negative bacilli

• E. coli, Proteus, Klebsiella,

P. aeruginosa

• Less likely Enterococci and Staph

aureus

Pathogenesis

• Reflux of infected urine from urethra into

prostatic ducts
Complicated UTI –
Prostatitis
Symptoms of acute prostatitis

• Dysuria, frequency, urgency, obstructive

voiding symptoms, fever, chills, pelvic pain

• Prostate is edematous/tender

Diagnosis Do not perform

prostatic massage
• Urine analysis: pyuria
– risk of precipitating
• Urine culture and sensitivity needed for bacteremia
tailored therapy
Complicated UTI –
Prostatitis
Treatment

• Same indication for hospitalization as acute

pyelonephritis

• Parenteral antibiotics tailored to

sensitivities of urine culture

• Outpatient treatment

• Oral fluoroquinolones

• Treatment duration 14–30 days

Complicated UTI – Catheter-associated
Infections

~10–25% of patients in Duration of catheterization Most cases of asymptomatic

hospitals and long-term care correlates with risk of bacteriuria in catheterized
facilities have urethral developing catheter- patients do not need to be
catheters placed. associated bacteriuria. treated.
Complicated UTI – Catheter-associated
Infections
Treat symptomatic infections Treatment
• Fever, chills, leukocytosis, in the Parenteral antibiotics tailored
setting of bacteriuria and pyuria to sensitivities
• Diagnosis – urine culture and
sensitivities

Duration Preventative measures

7–14 days pending resolution Avoid prolonged use of urinary

of symptoms catheters
Complicated UTI – Emphysematous
Pyelonephritis

• Fulminant, necrotizing, life threatening form of acute pyelonephritis

• Risk factor: diabetes mellitus

• May cause urinary obstruction

• Etiology: Gas-forming micro-organisms (E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and

Proteus)

• Symptoms similar to acute pyelonephritis

Complicated UTI – Emphysematous
Pyelonephritis

Diagnosis:

• Pyuria on urine analysis

and positive urine culture

• CT demonstrates gas

no changes
Complicated UTI – Emphysematous
Pyelonephritis

Treatment:

• Broad spectrum parenteral antibiotics

• Percutaneous drainage

• Nephrectomy
Complicated UTI – Xanthogranulomatous
Pyelonephritis

• Chronic destructive granulomatous

inflammation of the renal parenchyma

• Associated with obstruction of the

urinary tract with infected renal stones

• Middle-aged women with history of UTI

Symptoms

• Flank pain, fever, anorexia, weight loss

• Renal mass at flank

Complicated UTI – Xanthogranulomatous
Pyelonephritis

Diagnosis:

• Pyuria on urine analysis and

positive urine culture

• CT demonstrates enlarged kidney

with multiloculated appearance,
+/- presence of stones

• Low-density masses
(xanthomatous tissue)
Complicated UTI – Xanthogranulomatous
Pyelonephritis

Microorganisms Treatment

• E. coli, Proteus, P. aeruginosa, • Broad spectrum parenteral antibiotics

Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Staph
aureus • Total or partial nephrectomy
52-year-old Woman Noted to Have Test case
Bacteriuria
A 52-year-old woman is noted to have bacteriuria by urine analysis
with a clean-catch voided urine specimen culturing E. coli >
100,000 colony-forming units/mL. She provides a second urine
specimen 5 days later and cultures the same organism and count.
Urine analysis and microscopy show ~10–20 WBC/HPF.
She is asymptomatic, no dysuria, frequency to void, or
suprapubic pain. She denies flank pain, fevers, or chills.
Her exam is unremarkable. She is afebrile, normotensive and has
no costovertebral angle tenderness to percussion, no suprapubic
pain.

Does this patient need to be treated with antibiotics?

52-year-old Woman Noted to Have Test case
Bacteriuria
A 52-year-old woman is noted to have bacteriuria by urine
analysis with a clean-catch voided urine specimen culturing E. coli
> 100,000 colony-forming units/mL. She provides a second
urine specimen 5 days later and cultures the same organism
and count. Urine analysis and microscopy show ~10–20
WBC/HPF.

She is asymptomatic, no dysuria, frequency to void, or

No symptoms or signs that
suprapubic pain. She denies flank pain, fevers, or chills.
indicate active infection.
Her exam is unremarkable. She is afebrile, normotensive and
has no costovertebral angle tenderness to percussion, no No risk factors for
suprapubic pain. immunosuppression.
Does this patient need to be treated with antibiotics?
52-year-old Woman Noted to Have Test case
Bacteriuria
Does this patient need to be treated with antibiotics?

No – this is asymptomatic bacteriuria.

What if the patient was pregnant? Would the patient need to be treated with
antibiotics?

Yes – this is one of the exceptions and indications to treat asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria

Definition

• Isolation of a specified quantitative count of a single bacteria (> 105 CFU/mL) appropriately
collected from a urine sample in an individual without symptoms or signs of a UTI

Epidemiology

• More common in women

• No evidence to support using antibiotics for treatment

Treatment

• Associated with emergence of drug-resistant uropathogens

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria

Exceptions – special populations where

screening or treatment is warranted:

Pregnancy Recent kidney transplantation

Urological procedures that could result in mucosal bleeding