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Diseases

Acute cystitis

OVERVIEW

  • Highlights & Basics
  • Images

DIAGNOSIS

  • Diagnostic Approach
  • Risk Factors
  • History & Exam
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis
  • Criteria
  • Screening

TREATMENT

  • Tx Approach
  • Tx Options
  • Emerging Tx
  • Prevention

FOLLOW-UP

  • Overview
  • Complications

REFERENCES

  • Citations
  • Guidelines
  • Credits

PATIENT RESOURCES

  • Patient Instructions

Highlights & Basics

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Key Highlights
  • The most common etiologic organism implicated in acute cystitis is Escherichia coli .

  • For uncomplicated acute cystitis, diagnosis may be made according to history alone.

  • For complicated cases of cystitis, urinalysis and culture are typically required as part of the diagnostic workup.

  • Complicating factors include anatomic or functional abnormalities within the urinary tract, male sex, pregnancy, immunosuppression (e.g., renal transplant), diabetes, incomplete voiding, indwelling urinary catheter, recent instrumentation, healthcare-associated infection, or history of infection with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing organisms or other multidrug resistant organisms.

  • Antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment for both uncomplicated and complicated acute cystitis. Complicated cases require a longer and more aggressive antibiotics course.

Quick Reference

  • History & Exam

    • Key Factors

      • Other Factors

        More information...
      • Diagnostics Tests

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        • Treatment Options

            More information...

          Definition

          Epidemiology

          Etiology

          Pathophysiology

          content by BMJ Group
          Last updated

          Citations

            Key Articles

            • European Association of Urology. Guidelines on urological infections. 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • ​American Urological Association. ​Recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women: AUA/CUA/SUFU guideline. 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • Nicolle LE, Gupta K, Bradley SF, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the management of asymptomatic bacteriuria: 2019 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2019 May 15;68(10):e83-110.​​[Full Text]

            Referenced Articles

            • 1. European Association of Urology. Guidelines on urological infections. 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 2. Rowe TA, Juthani-Mehta M. Diagnosis and management of urinary tract infection in older adults. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2014 Mar;28(1):75-89.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 3. Foxman B. Urinary tract infection syndromes: occurrence, recurrence, bacteriology, risk factors, and disease burden. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2014 Mar;28(1):1-13.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 4. Medina M, Castillo-Pino E. An introduction to the epidemiology and burden of urinary tract infections. Ther Adv Urol. 2019 May 2;11:1756287219832172.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 5. Öztürk R, Murt A. Epidemiology of urological infections: a global burden. World J Urol. 2020 Nov;38(11):2669-2679.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 6. Seitz M, Stief C, Waidelich R. Local epidemiology and resistance profiles in acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC) in women: a prospective cohort study in an urban urological ambulatory setting. BMC Infect Dis. 2017 Oct 16;17(1):685.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 7. Foxman B, Barlow R, D'Arcy H, et al. Urinary tract infection: self-reported incidence and associated costs. Ann Epidemiol. 2000 Nov;10(8):509-15.[Abstract]

            • 8. ​American Urological Association. ​Recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women: AUA/CUA/SUFU guideline. 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 9. Butler CC, Francis N, Thomas-Jones E, et al. Variations in presentation, management, and patient outcomes of urinary tract infection: a prospective four-country primary care observational cohort study. Br J Gen Pract. 2017 Dec;67(665):e830-41.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 10. Tutone M, Bjerklund Johansen TE, Cai T, et al. SUsceptibility and Resistance to Fosfomycin and other antimicrobial agents among pathogens causing lower urinary tract infections: findings of the SURF study. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2022 May;59(5):106574.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 11. ​Tamma PD, Heil EL, Justo JA, et al. IDSA 2024 guidance on the treatment of antimicrobial resistant gram-negative infections. Jul 2024 [internet publication].​[Full Text]

            • 12. Blanco M, Blanco JE, Alonso MP, et al. Virulence factors and O groups of Escherichia coli isolates from patients with acute pyelonephritis, cystitis and asymptomatic bacteriuria. Eur J Epidemiol. 1996 Apr;12(2):191-8.[Abstract]

            • 13. Serafini-Cessi F, Monti A, Cavallone D. N-Glycans carried by Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein have a crucial role in the defense against urinary tract diseases. Glycoconj J. 2005 Nov;22(7-9):383-94.[Abstract]

            • 14. Scholes D, Hooton TM, Roberts PL, et al. Risk factors associated with acute pyelonephritis in healthy women. Ann Intern Med. 2005 Jan 4;142(1):20-7.[Abstract]

            • 15. Scholes D, Hooton TM, Roberts PL, et al. Risk factors for recurrent urinary tract infection in young women. J Infect Dis. 2000 Oct;182(4):1177-82.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 16. American Urological Association. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections: definitions and significance in the urologic patient. 2014 [internet publication]. [Full Text]

            • 17. Flores-Mireles A, Hreha TN, Hunstad DA. Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2019 Summer;25(3):228-240.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 18. Nicolle LE, Gupta K, Bradley SF, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the management of asymptomatic bacteriuria: 2019 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2019 May 15;68(10):e83-110.​​[Full Text]

            • 19. Abu-Ashour W, Twells L, Valcour J, et al. The association between diabetes mellitus and incident infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2017 May 27;5(1):e000336.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 20. Calvet HM, Yoshikawa TT. Infections in diabetes. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2001 Jun;15(2):407-21, viii.[Abstract]

            • 21. Glaser AP, Schaeffer AJ. Urinary tract infection and bacteriuria in pregnancy. Urol Clin North Am. 2015 Nov;42(4):547-60.[Abstract]

            • 22. Moore A, Doull M, Grad R, et al. Recommendations on screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy. CMAJ. 2018 Jul 9;190(27):E823-30.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 23. Valera B, Gentil MA, Cabello V, et al. Epidemiology of urinary infections in renal transplant recipients. Transplant Proc. 2006 Oct;38(8):2414-5.[Abstract]

            • 24. Schonwald S, Begovac J, Skerk V. Urinary tract infections in HIV disease. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 1999 May;11(3-4):309-11.[Abstract]

            • 25. Singh-Grewal D, Macdessi J, Craig J. Circumcision for the prevention of urinary tract infection in boys: a systematic review of randomised trials and observational studies. Arch Dis Child. 2005 Aug;90(8):853-8.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 26. Semins MJ, Shore AD, Makary MA, et al. The impact of obesity on urinary tract infection risk. Urology. 2012 Feb;79(2):266-9.[Abstract]

            • 27. Jansåker F, Li X, Sundquist K. Sociodemographic factors and uncomplicated cystitis in women aged 15-50 years: a nationwide Swedish cohort registry study (1997-2018). Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2021 May;4:100108.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 28. Jansåker F, Li X, Sundquist K. Elucidating the effect of body mass index, height, and parity on uncomplicated cystitis: a nationwide population-based cohort study. Sci Rep. 2022 Feb 11;12(1):2380.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 29. Sihra N, Goodman A, Zakri R, et al. Nonantibiotic prevention and management of recurrent urinary tract infection. Nat Rev Urol. 2018 Dec;15(12):750-776.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 30. Wagenlehner F, Nicolle L, Bartoletti R, et al. A global perspective on improving patient care in uncomplicated urinary tract infection: expert consensus and practical guidance. J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2022 Mar;28:18-29.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 31. Hernández-Hernández D, Ortega-González Y, Padilla-Fernández B, et al. Management of Acute Cystitis in the Era of COVID-19. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep. 2022 Nov 22;:1-6.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 32. Little P, Moore MV, Turner S, et al. Effectiveness of five different approaches in management of urinary tract infection: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2010 Feb 5;340:c199.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 33. Giesen LG, Cousins G, Dimitrov BD, et al. Predicting acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women: a systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of symptoms and signs. BMC Fam Pract. 2010 Oct 24;11:78.[Abstract]

            • 34. Chu CM, Lowder JL. Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections across age groups. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jul;219(1):40-51.[Abstract]

            • 35. American Urological Association. Fifteen things physicians and patients should question. Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation​. 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 36. Barocas DA, Boorjian SA, Alvarez RD, et al. Microhematuria: AUA/SUFU guideline. J Urol. 2020 Oct;204(4):778-86. [Abstract][Full Text]

            • 37. Little P, Turner S, Rumsby K, et al. Dipsticks and diagnostic algorithms in urinary tract infection: development and validation, randomised trial, economic analysis, observational cohort and qualitative study. Health Technol Assess. 2009 Mar;13(19):iii-iv, ix-xi, 1-73.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 38. Miller JM, Binnicker MJ, Campbell S, et al. Guide to utilization of the microbiology laboratory for diagnosis of infectious diseases: 2024 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Clin Infect Dis. 5 Mar 2024 [Epub ahead of print].[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 39. Wilson ML, Gaido L. Laboratory diagnosis of urinary tract infections in adult patients. Clin Infect Dis. 2004 Apr 15;38(8):1150-8.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 40. US Preventive Services Task Force, Owens DK, Davidson KW, et al. Screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria in adults: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2019 Sep 24;322(12):1188-94.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 41. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Urinary tract infections in pregnant individuals. Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Aug 1;142(2):435-45.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 42. Henderson JT, Webber EM, Bean SI. Screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria in adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2019 Sep 24;322(12):1195-1205.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 43. Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Recurrent urinary tract infection. Nov 2010 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 44. Gupta K, Hooton TM, Naber KG, et al. International clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women: a 2010 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the European Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Clin Infect Dis. 2011 Mar 1;52(5):e103-20.[Abstract]

            • 45. Zalmanovici Trestioreanu A, Green H, Paul M, et al. Antimicrobial agents for treating uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Oct 6;(10):CD007182.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 46. Falagas ME, Vouloumanou EK, Togias AG, et al. Fosfomycin versus other antibiotics for the treatment of cystitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2010 Sep;65(9):1862-77.[Abstract]

            • 47. Huttner A, Kowalczyk A, Turjeman A, et al. Effect of 5-day nitrofurantoin vs single-dose fosfomycin on clinical resolution of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection in women: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2018 May 1;319(17):1781-9.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 48. Falagas MEK. Antibiotics versus placebo in the treatment of women with uncomplicated cystitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Infect. 2009 Feb;58(2):91-102.[Abstract]

            • 49. Tucker MK, Sirotenko GA, Keating KN, et al. Educating patients with uncomplicated UTIs: the effect of an educational brochure on patient knowledge. Postgrad Med. 2004 Dec;116(suppl 6):3-10.[Abstract]

            • 50. van der Starre WE, van Nieuwkoop C, Paltansing S, et al. Risk factors for fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli in adults with community-onset febrile urinary tract infection. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2011 Mar;66(3):650-6.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 51. Sheffield JS, Cunningham FG. Urinary tract infection in women. Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Nov;106(5 Pt 1):1085-92.[Abstract]

            • 52. Santos JM, Batech M, Pelter MA, et al. Evaluation of the risk of nitrofurantoin lung injury and its efficacy in diminished kidney function in older adults in a large integrated healthcare system: a matched cohort study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2016 Apr;64(4):798-805.[Abstract]

            • 53. Harding C, Mossop H, Homer T, et al. Alternative to prophylactic antibiotics for the treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: multicentre, open label, randomised, non-inferiority trial. BMJ. 2022 Mar 9;376:e068229.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 54. Bakhit M, Krzyzaniak N, Hilder J, et al. Use of methenamine hippurate to prevent urinary tract infections in community adult women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Gen Pract. 2021 Jul;71(708):e528-37.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 55. Williams G, Hahn D, Stephens JH, et al. Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Apr 17;4(4):CD001321.[Abstract]

            • 56. Ceran N, Mert D, Kocdogan FY, et al. A randomized comparative study of single-dose fosfomycin and 5-day ciprofloxacin in female patients with uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections. J Infect Chemother. 2010 Dec;16(6):424-30.[Abstract]

            • 57. European Medicines Agency. Quinolone- and fluoroquinolone-containing medicinal products. Mar 2019 [internet publication].​[Full Text]

            • 58. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA Drug Safety Communcation: FDA warns about increased risk of ruptures of tears in the aorta blood vessel with fluoroquinolone antibiotics in certain patients. ​Mar 2018 [internet publication].​[Full Text]

            • 59. ​Food and Drug Administration. FDA Drug Safety Communication. FDA reinforces safety information about serious low blood sugar levels and mental health side effects with fluoroquinolone antibiotics; requires label changes.​ Oct 2018 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 60. Anger JT, Bixler BR, Holmes RS, et al. Updates to recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women: AUA/CUA/SUFU guideline. J Urol. 2022 Sep;208(3):536-41.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 61. Beerepoot MA, Geerlings SE, van Haarst EP, et al. Nonantibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Urol. 2013 Dec;190(6):1981-9.[Abstract]

            • 62. Yang B, Foley S. First experience in the UK of treating women with recurrent urinary tract infections with the bacterial vaccine Uromune(®). BJU Int. 2018 Feb;121(2):289-92.[Abstract]

            • 63. Kochiashvili D, Khuskivadze A, Kochiashvili G, et al. Role of the bacterial vaccine Solco-Urovac® in treatment and prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections of bacterial origin. Georgian Med News. 2014 Jun;(231):11-6.[Abstract]

            • 64. Kranjčec B, Papeš D, Altarac S. D-mannose powder for prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a randomized clinical trial. World J Urol. 2014 Feb;32(1):79-84.[Abstract]

            • 65. Domenici L, Monti M, Bracchi C, et al. D-mannose: a promising support for acute urinary tract infections in women. A pilot study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2016 Jul;20(13):2920-5.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 66. Cooper TE, Teng C, Howell M, et al. D-mannose for preventing and treating urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Aug 30;8(8):CD013608.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 67. Madersbacher H, van Ophoven A, van Kerrebroeck PE. GAG layer replenishment therapy for chronic forms of cystitis with intravesical glycosaminoglycans - a review. Neurourol Urodyn. 2013 Jan;32(1):9-18.[Abstract]

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