Urinary Tract Infection in Adults

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a frequent problem worldwide which are caused by microbial invasion to different tissues of the urinary tract. Urine is normally sterile, that is, free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. A urinary tract infection is a condition in which one or more parts of the urinary system (the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra) become infected. UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections in the general population, with an estimated overall incidence rate of 18 per 1000 person per year. It is the most frequent bacterial infection recorded in older people [1]. In addition, UTIs are a major cause of hospital admissions and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality as well as a high economic burden [2]. In a study performed by Sammon et al. 10.8 million patients in the United States visited an Emergency Department (ED) for the treatment of a UTI between 2006 and 2009. The economic burden of utilizing the ED for the treatment of UTIs is estimated to be $2 billion US dollars annually [3]. UTIs can manifest in a wide clinical range from bacteriuria with limited clinical symptoms to sepsis [4].