Urinary tract infections: epidemiological and clinical aspects

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infections affecting outpatients and hospital patients. They are believed to affect 150 million people annually and can present as an asymptomatic infection or infections of varying course and location. Patients most often present with symptoms of dysuria or increased frequency of urination. Urinary tract infections can be divided into lower and upper urinary tract infections, and the most common aetiological agents are Enterobacterales bacilli such as: Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., and Gram-positive cocci Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus agalactiae, and Staphylococcus saphrophyticus. Urinary tract diseases are a major public health burden, and significantly affect the quality of life of affected individuals. The choice of antibiotic and dosage should take into account the patient’s health status, the effectiveness of the drug, along with its side effects.