Urinary tract infections in women
Keywords:
Urinary tract infections, bacterial infections, urinary tract infections in womenAbstract
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most frequent bacterial infections in women, affecting mainly the lower urinary tract. The main route of infection is ascending, from the retrograde access of bacteria from the perineum, through the urethra till the bladder. E. coli is the most common cause of UTIs, accounting for 85% of community-acquired infections and 50% of hospital-acquired infections. Whenever possible, the ideal is to collect urine for evaluation of abnormal elements and sediment and culture with an antibiogram, before starting treatment in patients with urinary tract infections. In this article, we will briefly review the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections in women.
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