title: Treatment of bacteriuria in pregnancy.
abstract: The presence of bacteriuria during gestation increases the chance of acute pyelonephritis. Treatment of bacteriuria in pregnancy reduces subsequent development of symptomatic disease. Numerous studies have shown that single-dose therapy for asymptomatic bacteriuria is as effective as longer course of treatment. Single-dose therapy also has the advantages of improved compliance, reduced costs, and less adverse effects resulting from long term therapy. Follow-up cultures following antimicrobial treatment should be used for early detection of recurrence or relapse. If the urine culture yields no growth, a urine culture at a monthly interval will suffice. If on the other hand bacteriuria is present, a repeat course of antimicrobial therapy should be chosen based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A longer course of therapy, possibly with a different drug, is recommended for women with a positive follow-up urine culture. Acute cystitis may be treated with the same regimen as asymptomatic bacteriuria. When upper urinary tract infection is suspected, hospitalisation and a longer course of therapy is recommended. If the organism is susceptible to cefalexin or nitrofurantoin, postcoital prophylaxis with either agent for the remainder of the pregnancy may be beneficial.
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents