167 - Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections
Autor(s): M. Schinella
Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 6, N. 2, 2010 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)
Page(s): 167-168
Urinary Tract Infections are one of the most common bacterial infections in early pregnancy and the incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria occurs in 2-10% of pregnancies. The bacteriuria prevalence is more elevated in socially indigent and multiparas women or with a past history of UTI, abnormalities of the urinary tract, diabetes, while there is no complete consensus in the literature either in relation to the age or sickle-cell trait. The etiologic agents implicated with bacteriuria are similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women: Escherichia coli is the most common pathogen, representing 70-80% of isolates, but also Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococci, Enterococci. In 1970 Kass identified as “significant bacteriuria” the occurance of 100.000 UFC/ml of urine in fresh voided midstream urine aseptically collected, because bacteria most commonly enter via the urethra. Asymptomatic and symptomatic bacteriurias commonly occur during pregnancy. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is defined as the presence of significant bacteriuria without the symptoms of an acute urinary tract infection. Symptomatic urinary tract infections are divided into lower tract (acute cystitis) or upper tract (acute pyelonephritis) infections.