Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the commonly acquired diseases in women and account for about 150 million visits annually, worldwide. These infections can be caused by several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; some of them are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter spp., Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus species, and Serratia spp. are common and cause infections by colonizing the genitourinary tract. UTIs can be generally classified into uncomplicated and complicated infections, with the complicating infections involving the bladder, kidney, obstruction of the urinary tract, immunosuppression, etc. Uncomplicated infections present with symptoms like burning micturition, fever, flank pain, and, nausea. Risk factors for UTIs include diabetes, old age, malnutrition, immunosuppression, and, pregnancy. Diagnosis can be performed with microscopic urinalysis, dipstick analysis, and biochemical tests; however, the culture of the sample is considered to be the gold standard in the confirmation of infection. Antibiotic therapy is required in the treatment of symptomatic bacteriuria. The choice of antibiotics should be based on the culture and sensitivity profile of the organism.

Download this article as