[Bacterial and fungal urinary tract infections: epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical management].
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections and represent a significant problem both from an epidemiological and clinical point of view. Moreover, they place a substantial financial burden on society. UTIs can be asymptomatic or symptomatic and are characterized by a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild irritative voiding to bacteremia, sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock. They may occur in a normal genitourinary tract with no prior instrumentation (uncomplicated infections) or in genitourinary tracts with structural or functional abnormalities, or in patients with specific risk factors (complicated infections). In the hospital setting bacterial and fungal UTIs are strongly related to the use and misuse of indwelling urinary catheters. Catheter-related UTIs increase morbidity, mortality and costs and constitute an efficient reservoir for multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Clinica di Malattie Infettive, Policlinico S. Orsola, Malpighi, Bologna - Italy.
Eleonora
E
Zamparini
Pierluigi
P
Viale
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy