Urinary Tract Infections in Adult Women: Review

Abstract

Urinary tract infections occur more frequently in women than in men. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus are the most common causatives of urinary tract infections in women. The severity of urinary tract infection is determined   by the innate defense mechanisms of the host and by the virulence of the infecting agents. There are factors that make females prone to urinary tract infections as anatomical structure, alterations in vaginal flora, use of indwelling catheters, sexual activity, and advance in age, genetic factors, pregnancy, dysfunctional voiding and diabetes mellitus. Acute phase response alters the concentrations of a number of proteins. A series of changes in lipid metabolism occurs during acute phase response. As a result, plasma triglycerides (TG) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) levels increase, while high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and total cholesterol (TC) levels decrease. Patients with urinary tract infections have significant increase of blood urea with slight increase in serum creatinin.