Epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections caused by bacteria

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most frequent diseases in hospital and outpatient clinical practice and can affect patients of all ages. UTIs can be of bacterial, fungal or parasitic origin, with bacteria being responsible for around 90% of cases. UTIs are caused in most cases by E. coli, a microorganism naturally present at the large intestine and perianal region. The diagnosis of UTIs is based on the patient's clinical picture, symptoms and laboratory diagnosis with urine samples. This paper briefly reviews the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of UTIs, considering the most recent literature.