Describe how to diagnose a lower urinary tract infection (UTI) and differentiate between common bacterial causes

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Signs and symptoms of a lower UTI include frequent, urgent, and/or painful urination. Pyuria or hematuria may be observed. Urine may be cloudy or smell foul. The patient may experience lower abdominal pain. A urine dipstick test may be used to check for additional indicators of a UTI such as elevated white blood cells and the presence of nitrite (indicative of bacteria reducing nitrate found in urine). Urine samples can be cultured to detect bacterial growth. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) the most frequent cause of uncomplicated UTIs. UPEC are small, flagellated, Gram-negative rods with a variety of virulence factors including pili, adhesins, siderophores, toxins, and avoidance of immune cells by invading epithelial cells of the bladder. The most common Gram-positive cause of bacterial UTIs is Staphylococcus saprophyticus, primarily affecting young, sexually active women. This bacterium is found on the external genitalia of both males and females. It is not able to reduce nitrate to nitrite, a common marker of infection detected by the urine dipstick test.