CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC DIVERSITY OF URINARY INFECTIONS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a wide range of clinical manifestations, including cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, urosepsis, and catheter-associated UTI (CA-UTI). The diagnosis of UTI, essential in both clinical practice and research, depends on a combination of clinical signs, symptoms and diagnostic tests. Symptoms are generally classified into three main groups: lower urinary tract symptoms (such as dysuria, frequency, and urgency), systemic signs and symptoms (such as fever), and nonspecific signs (such as nausea and malaise). Diagnostic evaluation commonly involves the use of urine dipsticks to identify leukocyte esterase and nitrites, as well as microscopy or flow cytometry techniques to quantify pyuria, and urine and blood cultures for confirmation. The diversity of clinical phenotype of UTIs and the variability in diagnostic methods reflect the complexity in managing these infections, which continue to significantly impact public health and patients' quality of life.