Abstract

MARTINEZ, E et al. Lower Urinary Tract Infections in Adults and Pregnant Women: A Consensus for Empirical Treatment. Infect. [online]. 2013, vol.17, n.3, pp.122-135. ISSN 0123-9392.

Background: Uncomplicated infection of the lower urinary tract and asymptomatic bacteriuria are frequent causes of visits to outpatient clinics and emergency departments in Colombia and worldwide. The lack of guidelines and a consensus for their management, and the emergence of resistance of community-based uropathogens to the available therapeutic options, make it necessary to develop recommendations to guide clinicians on the optimal approach to these entities. Objective: Define a consensus for the empiric management of asymptomatic bacteriuria and Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in adults and pregnant women in Colombia. Methods: We carried out a consensus methodology with experts in urology, infectious diseases, internal medicine, gynecology and clinical microbiology; based on reviewing the available literature on the related terms, and emphasizing local studies. Results: We developed a management algorithm for the empirical treatment of uncomplicated lower UTI in adults with urinary antiseptics such as nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin trometamol as first line, with specific therapeutic recommendations for the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women. Additionally, we created a decision algorithm for processing urine cultures. Frequent recurrence or relapse justifies referral to urology and infectious disease professionals. Conclusions: We generated straightforward and easy-to-implement recommendations for the diagnosis and management of UTI in adults and pregnant women, and in cases where it is necessary to treat asymptomatic bacteriuria, with effective therapeutic and narrow spectrum options.

Keywords : Urinary tract infection; Cystitis; Asymptomatic bacteriuria; Pregnancy; Treatment.

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