CLASSIC OF NEPHROLOGY: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON URINARY INFECTION

Abstract

Urinary tract infection (UTI) comprises a wide range of clinical manifestations, including cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, urosepsis and catheter-associated UTI. The diagnosis of UTI depends on a combination of clinical signs, symptoms and diagnostic tests. Symptoms are generally classified into three main groups: lower urinary tract symptoms (including dysuria, frequency and urgency), systemic signs and symptoms (such as fever) and non-specific signs (such as nausea and malaise). Diagnostic evaluation commonly involves the use of urine dipsticks to identify leukocyte esterase and nitrites, in addition to 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.