Question

List the possible causative agents, modes of transmission, virulence factors, diagnostic techniques, prevention and treatment for urinary tract infections. Include the difference in susceptibility between males and females and explain why this difference exists.

Answer 1

Solution :

UTI(Urinary tract infection) are common types of infection caused by bacteria where cystitis and polynephritis are its severe conditions. These are caused by bacteria E.coli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella species and Enterococci, Proteus mirabilis.

E.coli is transmitted endogenously moving from GI tract to infect the UT(Urinary tract). Similarly, S.saprophyticus and P.mirabilis are opportunistic.

E.coli uses adhesins as virulence factors to secure themselves onto the GI tract and epithelial lining of the urinary tract, the bacteria is also motile which allows them to move along the mucosal surfaces. No virulence factor is exhibited by S.saprophyticus whereas P. mirabilis uses urease as virulence factor to cleave and leads to the formation of kidney stones.

Diagnosis:

Urine Test - Urinalysis,Urine Culture,ultrasound and computed tomography (CT scan),Special Types of X-Rays,Cystoscopy

Prevention : By good hygiene practices, and some vaccines.

Treatment : With routine antibiotics, cephalosporins, ampicillin, amoxicillin, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole.

Women are more susceptible to UTIs than men, and their infections tend to recur, the reason for that is

• the urethra is shorter in women than in men.
• Frequent sexual intercourse also increases a woman's risk of developing UTIs.
• Contraceptive spermicides and diaphragms are additional risk factors.
• When women reach menopause, the decrease in estrogen thins the lining of the urinary tract, which increases susceptibility to bacterial infections.
• Allergies
• Antibiotics

Men become more susceptible to UTIs after the age of 50, when they begin to develop prostate problems. Generally they are most susceptible at the age between 18-24 if highly sexually active.