Microbiology
Infections
Question 12 of 180
A 65 year old man presents to ED complaining of fever and rigors. He explains that he has pain in his perineal area, dysuria and pain on defaecation. On examination he has an exquisitely tender prostate. Which of the following antibiotics would be most appropriate to prescribe in this case:
Answer:
The patient most likely has acute prostatitis caused by the same infectious agents that cause UTI. First line treatment is with ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin (suggested duration 14 days).Urinary Tract Infection
Microbiology / Infections
Last Updated: 16th November 2020
Urinary-tract infection is more common in women than in men; when it occurs in men there is frequently an underlying abnormality of the renal tract. Recurrent episodes of infection are an indication for radiological investigation especially in children in whom untreated pyelonephritis may lead to permanent kidney damage.
Infective Agents
- Escherichia coli (most common)
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus (especially in sexually active young women)
- Proteus mirabilis
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (particularly in long term catheters)
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Enterococcus faecalis
Risk Factors
- Poor hygiene
- Sexual activity in females
- Outflow obstruction e.g. BPH or prostate cancer, vaginal prolapse in elderly women, renal calculi, urethral strictures, bladder tumours
- Neurogenic bladder
- Immunocompromised e.g. chemotherapy, diabetes mellitus
- Pregnancy
- Urethral catheters
- Dehydration
Clinical Disease
- Lower UTI
- urinary frequency or urgency
- dysuria
- suprapubic discomfort
- Acute pyelonephritis
- fever, rigors
- loin pain
- renal angle tenderness
- signs of septicaemia
- Acute prostatitis
- fever, rigors
- Urinary voiding symptoms or acute urinary retention
- Perineal or suprapubic pain (penile pain, low back pain, pain on ejaculation, and pain during bowel movements can also occur)
- Tender prostate on examination
Diagnosis
- Dipstick test for leucocyte esterase, nitrites and blood
- If both dipstick tests are negative, a UTI is unlikely.
- If the leucocyte esterase test alone is positive, a UTI is moderately likely.
- If the nitrite test is positive, with or without a positive leucocyte esterase test, a UTI is highly likely.
- Midstream urine (MSU) for culture, microscopy and sensitivities (M, C & S) before starting antibacterial therapy:
- in men;
- in pregnant women;
- in children under 3 years of age;
- in patients with suspected upper urinary-tract infection;
- complicated infection, or recurrent infection;
- if resistant organisms are suspected;
- if urine dipstick testing gives a single positive result for leucocyte esterase or nitrite;
- if clinical symptoms are not consistent with results of dipstick testing.
- Further investigation in men or children
Treatment
Treatment should not be delayed while waiting for results. The antibacterial chosen should reflect current local bacterial sensitivity to antibacterials.
- Empirical treatment for lower UTI
- Trimethoprim or nitrofurantoin first line
- Amoxicillin or oral cephalosporin alternatively
- Suggested duration 7 days (a 3-day course is usually adequate for uncomplicated UTI in women)
- Treatment for acute pyelonephritis
- Oral cefalexin, ciprofloxacin or co-amoxiclav for patients who can be managed at home
- Intravenous cephalosporin or quinolone if unwell, gentamicin can also be used
- Suggested duration 10 - 14 days
- Treatment for prostatitis
- Ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin (suggested duration 14 days)
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- Biochemistry
- Blood Gases
- Haematology
| Biochemistry | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Sodium | 135 – 145 mmol/l |
| Potassium | 3.0 – 4.5 mmol/l |
| Urea | 2.5 – 7.5 mmol/l |
| Glucose | 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/l |
| Creatinine | 35 – 135 μmol/l |
| Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) | 5 – 35 U/l |
| Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) | < 65 U/l |
| Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) | 30 – 135 U/l |
| Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) | < 40 U/l |
| Total Protein | 60 – 80 g/l |
| Albumin | 35 – 50 g/l |
| Globulin | 2.4 – 3.5 g/dl |
| Amylase | < 70 U/l |
| Total Bilirubin | 3 – 17 μmol/l |
| Calcium | 2.1 – 2.5 mmol/l |
| Chloride | 95 – 105 mmol/l |
| Phosphate | 0.8 – 1.4 mmol/l |
| Haematology | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | 11.5 – 16.6 g/dl |
| White Blood Cells | 4.0 – 11.0 x 109/l |
| Platelets | 150 – 450 x 109/l |
| MCV | 80 – 96 fl |
| MCHC | 32 – 36 g/dl |
| Neutrophils | 2.0 – 7.5 x 109/l |
| Lymphocytes | 1.5 – 4.0 x 109/l |
| Monocytes | 0.3 – 1.0 x 109/l |
| Eosinophils | 0.1 – 0.5 x 109/l |
| Basophils | < 0.2 x 109/l |
| Reticulocytes | < 2% |
| Haematocrit | 0.35 – 0.49 |
| Red Cell Distribution Width | 11 – 15% |
| Blood Gases | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.35 – 7.45 |
| pO2 | 11 – 14 kPa |
| pCO2 | 4.5 – 6.0 kPa |
| Base Excess | -2 – +2 mmol/l |
| Bicarbonate | 24 – 30 mmol/l |
| Lactate | < 2 mmol/l |
