Infectious Diseases: Urinary Tract Infections (Bacterial)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common cause of morbidity and, if left untreated, can lead to significant mortaLity. Women are affected more than men. Bacteria infecting the bladder originate from within the bladder wall or from within the bladder wall or from the distal gastrointestinal tract, colonize the vaginal and periurethral region, and enter the bladder. The first Line of host defense is the urotheLium, but the bladder provides a complex array of barriers in addition to the urotheLium. When all barriers fail, bacterial colonization occurs. Antibiotic treatment has been the standard of treatment but investigation into other approaches is currently under investigation. This article discusses the pathology and pathogenesis of UTI relevant to human disease as evidenced in experimental models.