A CLINICAL OVERVIEW ON URINARY TRACT INFECTION: RISK FACTORS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT APPROACHES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2025v17i11.57197Keywords:
Urological, Multidrug resistance, Antibiotic resistance, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, Urethritis, Microbiome uncomplicatedAbstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) refer to the colonization and infection of the urinary tract by microorganisms. It is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in hospitals and the general population, with nearly 10% of individuals suffering from UTI at some point in their lives. UTIs are most common in people between the ages of 16 and 64, and 50% of women worldwide are predicted to get them at least once in their lives. Gram-negative bacteria (GNBs) account for over 95% of all UTIs, with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, and others being the most common causative agents for UTIs. Since bacteria are the primary cause of UTIs, the increase in antibiotic resistance, particularly multidrug-resistant (MDR) uropathogens, poses significant challenges to treatment. Treatment of MDR UTIs requires careful selection of antibiotics, with options like fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and fluoroquinolones, which are commonly employed. This review examines the risk factors, pathophysiology, management, and current treatment options for UTIs and MDR UTIs, highlighting the global impact of antibiotic resistance and the urgent need for effective management strategies to combat this growing public health concern. Clinicians have limited access to effective antibiotic treatments for treating these illnesses. Early detection and adequate empirical therapy are crucial steps in controlling these organisms, since they have been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality.
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