Urinary tract infections in women. Current unsatisfactory situation and prospects of a new therapeutic concept.
The prevalence, pathogenesis and clinical aspects of bacterial infections of the female urinary tract are described and the efficacy of therapies used at present is discussed. Based on a retrospective compilation of data on 142 female patients with urinary tract infections, the pathogen spectrum is defined and the therapeutic results achievable with antibiotics are quantified. In uncomplicated urinary tract infections a cure rate of 73% was achieved. In 12% of the cases the infection persisted, and relapses or re-infections occurred in 15% of the cases. The high proportion of unsatisfactory clinical results justifies the search for new treatment methods. The body's own infection defence mechanisms are discussed and the possibility of stimulating the local immune reaction in the urinary tract is presented as a possible future therapeutic measure.
Gynaecological Clinic, University of Heidelberg, FRG.
H
H
Rüttgers
E M
EM
Grischke
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000628:therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents