Aparna Bose,
- Research Scholar Department of Biotechnology, TERI School of Advanced Studies, 10 Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj DELHI India
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a significant public health issue, primarily caused by a variety of pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. UTIs contribute substantially to illness and complications in individuals with pre-existing health conditions and account for a large portion of hospital visits globally. UTIs are usually self-limiting in people with no structural or functional problems, but they do tend to recur. Uropathogens possess specialized traits that enable them to colonize and infect the urinary tract. They can be transmitted between individuals and potentially through contaminated food or beverages. Treatment of UTIs with antibiotics results in a faster cure of symptoms and a higher likelihood of clearing bacteriuria, but it also picks for resistant uropathogens and commensal bacteria, as well as having a detrimental effect on the gut and vaginal microbiota. Because uropathogens are growing increasingly resistant to presently accessible antibiotics, it may be time to consider other UTI management options. A growing concern is the increase in antimicrobial resistance, particularly in E. coli, which has shown resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Physicians identify UTIs from several other infections with typical clinical presentations using a small series of tests, neither of which have neither appropriate sensitivity nor specificity when used separately. Urinalysis is primarily used to diagnose and rule out bacteriuria. For outpatients with uncomplicated UTIs, a urine culture may not be necessary, but it is essential for evaluating outpatients with recurrent UTIs, treatment failures, or complex UTIs, as well as inpatients who develop UTIs. Because antibiotic susceptibility testing requires a minimum of 48 hours to complete, an empirical antibiotic treatment is usually used to treat UTI. Furthermore, this treatment technique results in the formation of tolerance to a number of first-line antimicrobial medicines, a phenomenon known as multidrug resistance, which is causing widespread dilemma around the world. Specialists advise that resistance levels to antibacterial medications must not surpass 10%-20% when initiating empirical treatment to combat the rising prevalence of antibiotic resistance.
Keywords: Urinary tract infections (UTIs), public health, pathogens, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, illness, complications, hospital visits, recurrence, uropathogens
[This article belongs to Research & Reviews: A Journal of Health Professions(rrjohp)]
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Research & Reviews: A Journal of Health Professions
Volume | 14 |
Issue | 02 |
Received | June 21, 2024 |
Accepted | June 27, 2024 |
Published | August 16, 2024 |