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Recurrent urinary tract infection in gynaecological practice
Author(s) -
Harris Neil,
Teo Roderick,
Mayne Christopher,
Tincello Douglas
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1576/toag.10.1.017.27372
Subject(s) - urinary system , medicine , antibiotics , pathological , obstetrics and gynaecology , intensive care medicine , gynecology , dipstick , pregnancy , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Key content• Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the result of interaction between host defences and bacterial pathogenic mechanisms. • Recurrent UTI can be associated with urinary tract abnormalities. • Urinary tract imaging is useful in a minority of women to identify pathological, structural or functional abnormalities. • Adequate fluid intake, topical estrogens and prophylactic antibiotics can be useful in the management of recurrent infections. • Symptoms often reappear despite adequate treatment.Learning objectives• To understand the pathogenesis of recurrent UTI in women. • To appreciate the value and limitations of urinary tract imaging. • To develop an appropriate management strategy.Ethical issues• Women with dipstick haematuria, but without bacteriological confirmation of a UTI, should be referred for urological evaluation. • There is no evidence that the risk of altering antibiotic resistance patterns through the use of prophylactic antibiotics outweighs the advantage of reducing UTI in susceptible individuals.Please cite this article as: Harris N, Teo R, Mayne C, Tincello D. Recurrent urinary tract infection in gynaecological practice. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:17–21.