Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in the Gynecologic Practice: Time for Reviewing Concepts and Management - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Should Not Be Treated in the General Population

Urinary tract infection is not a laboratory-defined diagnosis. Diagnosis should be based on clinical symptoms whenever possible, and confirmed by positive urine microscopy and culture. Quantitative colony counts should not be used to guide therapy in asymptomatic patients. In symptomatic women, colony counts of > 100,000 colony-forming units/ ml are usually clinically relevant.

The frequent over diagnosis of UTI and the subsequent treatment are common problems. A considerable amount of bacteria found in the urine without association with any clinical symptoms is defined as asymptomatic bacteriuria. There are many myths that have been maintained on the interpretation of patient symptoms and laboratory results that lead to the overtreatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria.

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