Prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: antimicrobial and nonantimicrobial strategies.
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, especially in women. Low-dose daily or postcoital antimicrobial prophylaxis is effective for prevention of recurrent UTIs and women can self-diagnose and self-treat a new UTI with antibiotics. The increasing resistance rates of Escherichia coli to antimicrobial agents has, however, stimulated interest in nonantibiotic methods for the prevention of UTIs. This article reviews the literature on efficacy of different forms of nonantibiotic prophylaxis. Future studies with lactobacilli strains (oral and vaginal) and the oral immunostimulant OM-89 are warranted.
Division Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Room F4-217, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: s.e.geerlings@amc.uva.nl.
Suzanne E
SE
Geerlings
Division Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Room F4-217, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Mariëlle A J
MA
Beerepoot
Division Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Room F4-217, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jan M
JM
Prins
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus; D012008:Recurrence; D012648:Self Care; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D004967:Estrogens; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
Antimicrobial prophylaxis; Cranberries; Lactobacilli; Methenamine; Non-antimicrobial strategies; Recurrent urinary tract infections