Predictive factors associated with significant urinary tract abnormalities in infants with pyelonephritis

Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Urinary Tract Infection among Neonates Presenting with Unexplained Hyperbilirubinemia in Lebanon: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Neonatal jaundice is commonly seen in term and preterm newly born babies. It could be either physiologic or secondary to multiple underlying pathologies like urinary tract infection (UTI). Our main objective was to confirm the relationship between neonatal jaundice without apparent cause like hemolysis and the presence of UTI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We, retrospectively over a period extended from 2017 to 2020, included 496 babies admitted for elevated indirect hyperbilirubinemia for whom demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic data were collected through a detailed questionnaire.

RESULTS

Our study included 496 neonates and showed a prevalence of UTI in 8.9% of neonates. The two most common microorganisms in urine culture were Escherichia coli (65.9%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.0%). A multivariate logistic analysis showed that UTI was associated with male neonates (odds ratio [OR] = 2.366, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.173 - 4.774; P = 0.016), history of prenatal UTI (OR = 5.378, 95% CI: 2.369 - 12.209; P <0.001), poor feeding (OR = 3.687, 95% CI: 1.570 - 8.661; P = 0.003), and positive urine culture in catheter (OR = 2.704, 95% CI: 1.255 - 5.826; P = 0.011). The mean length of stay was higher in patients with positive UTI (Median = 216 hours) compared to patients with negative UTI (Median = 48 hours) (P <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Neonatal sreening for UTI should be recommended whenever there is unexplaind early or prolonged hyperbilirubinemia with no evidence of alloimmune hemolysis or blood group incompatibility and to prevent the morbidity of urosepsis and congenital kidneys malformations.

Low yield from imaging after non-E. coli urine tract infections in children treated in primary care and emergency department

BACKGROUND

Imaging is recommended for selected children following urinary tract infections (UTIs) to look for actionable structural abnormalities. Non-E. coli is considered high risk in many national guidelines, but evidence is mainly drawn from small cohorts from tertiary centres.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain imaging yield from infants and children <12 years diagnosed with their first confirmed UTI (pure single growth >100 000 cfu per ml) in primary care or an emergency department without admission stratified by bacteria type.

DESIGN, SETTING, PATIENTS

Data were collected from an administrative database of a UK citywide direct access UTI service between 2000 and 2021. Imaging policy mandated renal tract ultrasound and Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid scans in all children, plus micturating cystourethrogram in infants <12 months.

RESULTS

7730 children (79% girls, 16% aged <1 year, 55% 1-4 years) underwent imaging after first UTI diagnosed by primary care (81%) or emergency department without admission (13%). E. coli UTI yielded abnormal kidney imaging in 8.9% (566/6384). Enterococcus and KPP (Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas) yielded 5.6% (42/749) and 5.0% (24/483) with relative risks 0.63 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.86) and 0.56 (0.38 to 0.83)), respectively. No difference was found when stratified by age banding or imaging modality.

CONCLUSION

In this largest published group of infants and children diagnosed in primary and emergency care not requiring admission, non-E. coli UTI was not associated with a higher yield from renal tract imaging.

Urinary Tract Infections with Non-Escherichia coli Pathogens in Children: An Observational Study

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) with non-Escherichia coli (E. coli) species are associate with urological abnormalities. Objectives: To compare the prevalence of non-E. coli infections in patients with urological anomalies, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and those with apparently normal urinary systems. Methods: Pediatric nephrology clinic at a tertiary-care center in east of Iran. Children affected by UTI enrolled from 2003 to 2016. The results of urine culture were noted at enrolment. Cases with nephrolithiasis who had normal voiding cystourethrogram were excluded. After the implementation of imaging and urodynamic examinations, 832 patients enrolled according to the following inclusion criteria: cases with vesicoureteral reflux, urinary obstruction, neurogenic bladder, and patients with apparently normal urinary tract. The prevalence of infections with E. coli vs. non-E. coli pathogens were compared between different groups of enrolled cases. Results: In this study, 62.26% of the subjects had a normal urinary system, while 33.77%, 3.97%, and 2.4% of whom had vesicoureteral reflux, neurogenic bladder, and obstruction, respectively. Non-E. coli pathogens were responsible for infections in 17.29%, 19.39%, 33.74%, and 17.15% of these cases, respectively. Infections with non-E. coli pathogens were significantly more prevalent in cases with neurogenic bladder (P = 0.003). Pseudomonas species were responsible for 4/125, 5/118, 5/28, and 0/6 episodes of non-E. coli infections in cases with apparently normal urinary system, patients with vesicoureteral reflux, cases with neurogenic bladder, and those with urinary obstruction, respectively (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Infections with non-E. coli and also Pseudomonas species are significantly more prevalent in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction rather than those with urological abnormalities and/or cases with apparently normal urinary system.

Improving Antibiotic Prescribing for Children With Urinary Tract Infection in Emergency and Urgent Care Settings

OBJECTIVES

Children with urinary tract infection (UTI) are often diagnosed in emergency and urgent care settings and increasingly are unnecessarily treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. This study evaluated the effect of a quality improvement intervention on empiric antibiotic prescribing for the treatment of uncomplicated UTI in children.

METHODS

A local clinical pathway for uncomplicated UTI, introduced in June 2010, recommended empiric treatment with cephalexin, a narrow-spectrum (first-generation) cephalosporin antibiotic. A retrospective quasi-experimental study of pediatric patients older than 1 month presenting to emergency and urgent care settings from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2014, with uncomplicated UTI was conducted. Hospitalized patients and those with chronic conditions or urogenital abnormalities were excluded. Control charts and interrupted time-series analysis were used to analyze the primary outcome of narrow-spectrum antibiotic prescribing rates and the balancing measures of 72-hour revisits, resistant bacterial isolates, and subsequent inpatient admissions for UTI.

RESULTS

A total of 2134 patients were included. There was an immediate and sustained significant increase in cephalexin prescribing before (19.2%) versus after (79.6%) pathway implementation and a concurrent significant decline in oral third-generation cephalosporin (cefixime) prescribing from 50.3% to 4.0%. There was no significant increase in 72-hour revisits, resistant bacterial isolates, or inpatient admissions for UTI.

CONCLUSIONS

A clinical pathway produced a significant and sustained increase in narrow-spectrum empiric antibiotic prescribing for pediatric UTI. Increased empiric cephalexin prescribing did not result in increased treatment failures or adverse patient outcomes. Future studies on implementing clinical pathways for children outside a pediatric hospital network are needed.

Fifteen-minute consultation: Why and how do children get urinary tract infections?

This paper describes urinary tract infections (UTI) from the perspective of a disturbed balance between bacterial virulence and host defence. In some children, a UTI is caused by a virulent Escherichia coli, while in other cases children with abnormal renal tracts can get infected by almost any bacteria. Such knowledge can help in guiding treatment, investigations and follow-up of a child with a UTI.

First urinary tract infections in children: the role of the risk factors proposed by the Italian recommendations

AIM

In 2009, the Italian society for paediatric nephrology suggested the need for cystography, following a first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI), only in children at high risk for dilating vesicoureteral reflux or in the event of a second infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of the risk factors proposed by the Italian guidelines.

METHODS

Children aged 2-36 months, managed by 10 Italian hospitals between 2009 and 2013, with a first febrile UTI were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Four hundred and fourteen children were included: 51% female, mean age eight months. Escherichia coli was responsible of 84% UTIs. 269 children (65%) presented at least one risk factor, thus were further investigated: 44% had a reflux. The presence of a pathogen other than E. coli significantly predicted high-grade reflux, both in the univariate (Odd Ratio 2.52, 95% Confidence Interval 1.32-4.81, p < 0.005) and multivariate analysis (OR 2.74, 95% CI: 1.39-5.41, p: 0.003). 26/145 children (18%) with no risk factors experienced a second UTI, which prompted the execution of cystography, showing a dilating reflux in 11.

CONCLUSION

Among the risk factors proposed by the Italian guidelines, only the presence of a pathogen other than E. coli significantly predicted reflux. Cystography can be postponed in children with no risk factors.

Is vaginal reflux associated with urinary tract infection in female children under the age of 36 months?

Purpose

To determine the relationship between vaginal reflux (VR) and urinary tract infection (UTI) in female children aged <36 months.

Methods

A single center retrospective study was performed for 191 girls aged <36 months, with a diagnosis of febrile UTI, who underwent a voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) for assessment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) at Sanggye Paik Hospital. Fifty-one girls, who underwent VCUG for assessment of congenital hydronephrosis or renal pelvis dilatation, without a UTI, formed the control group. The correlation between the presence and grade of VR and UTI was evaluated.

Results

The prevalence rate of VR was higher in the UTI (42.9%) than control (13.7%) group (P<0.05), with a higher VR severity grade in the UTI (mean, 0.64) than control (mean, 0.18) group (P<0.05). On subanalysis with age-matching (UTI group: n=126, age, 5.28±2.13 months; control group: n=22, age, 4.79±2.40 months; P=0.33), both VR prevalence (43.65% vs. 18.18%, P<0.05) and grade (0.65 vs. 0.22, P<0.05) remained higher in the UTI than control group. Presence and higher grade of VR were associated with UTI recurrence (P<0.05). VR was correlated to urosepsis (P<0.05). The renal defect rate of patients with VR (VR [+]/VUR [+]) was not different from that of patients without VR (74% vs. 52%, P=0.143) in the VUR group; however, it was higher than that of VR (+)/VUR (-) patients (74% vs. 32%, P=0.001). If a child with VR (+)/VUR (+) is exposed to a UTI, the risk of renal defect increases.

Conclusion

Occurrence of VR is associated with UTI recurrence and urosepsis in pediatric female patients.

Urinary tract infection in children: Diagnosis, treatment, imaging - Comparison of current guidelines

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a frequent disorder of childhood, yet the proper approach for a child with UTI is still a matter of controversy. The objective of this study was to critically compare current guidelines for the diagnosis and management of UTI in children, in light of new scientific data.

METHODS

An analysis was performed of the guidelines from: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Italian Society of Pediatric Nephrology, Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), Polish Society of Pediatric Nephrology, and European Association of Urology (EAU)/European Society for Pediatric Urology (ESPU). Separate aspects of the approach for a child with UTI, including diagnosis, treatment and further imaging studies, were compared, with allowance for recent research in each field.

CONCLUSIONS

The analyzed guidelines tried to reconcile recent reports about diagnosis, treatment, and further diagnostics in pediatric UTI with prior practices and opinions, and economic capabilities. There was still a lack of sufficient data to formulate coherent, unequivocal guidelines on UTI management in children, with imaging tests remaining the main area of controversy. As a result, the authors formulated their own proposal for UTI management in children.

Avoidance of voiding cystourethrography in infants younger than 3 months with Escherichia coli urinary tract infection and normal renal ultrasound

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Urinary tract infection (UTI) represents the most common bacterial infection in infants, and its prevalence increases with the presence of high-grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). However, voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) is invasive, and its indication in infants <3 months is not yet defined. This study aims to investigate, in infants aged 0-3 months, if the presence of Escherichia coli versus non-E. coli bacteria and/or normal or abnormal renal ultrasound (US) could avoid the use of VCUG.

METHOD

One hundred and twenty-two infants with a first febrile UTI were enrolled. High-grade VUR was defined by the presence of VUR grade ≥III. The presence of high-grade VUR was recorded using VCUG, and correlated with the presence of E. coli/non-E. coli UTI and with the presence of normal/abnormal renal US. The Bayes theorem was used to calculate pretest and post-test probability.

RESULTS

The probability of high-grade VUR was 3% in the presence of urinary E. coli infection. Adding a normal renal US finding decreased this probability to 1%. However, in the presence of non-E. coli bacteria, the probability of high-grade VUR was 26%, and adding an abnormal US finding increased further this probability to 55%.

CONCLUSIONS

In infants aged 0-3 months with a first febrile UTI, the presence of E. coli and normal renal US findings allow to safely avoid VCUG. Performing VCUG only in infants with UTI secondary to non-E. coli bacteria and/or abnormal US would save many unnecessary invasive procedures, limit radiation exposure, with a very low risk (<1%) of missing a high-grade VUR.

The Swedish infant high-grade reflux trial: UTI and renal damage

INTRODUCTION

High-grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children is associated with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and renal damage. Breakthrough UTI despite continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) during the first years of life is a matter of concern and evokes early intervention. We investigated whether early endoscopic treatment (ET) of VUR grade 4-5 can reduce the risk of UTI recurrence and renal scarring.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, randomized, controlled, multicentre, 1-year follow-up trial comprised 77 infants, <8 months of age with VUR grade 4-5 (Table) randomized to CAP (n = 39) or ET (with prophylaxis until resolution) (n = 38). Voiding cystourethrogram, ultrasound, renal scintigraphy, and free voiding observation were performed at study entry and after 1 year. Parenchymal defects were seen in 67 (87%) children at entry, 39 (34 boys, 5 girls) of them characterized as generalized. At follow-up, renal deterioration (new scars or progress in old damaged area) and symptomatic UTIs were reported.

RESULTS

There were 27 recurrent febrile UTIs in 6 (16%) children in the ET group and in 10 (26%) in the CAP group (p = 0.43), in eight (36%) girls and eight (15%) boys (p = 0.039). Successful VUR outcome (VUR 0-2) was seen in 22 (59%) in the ET and eight (21%) in the CAP group (p = 0.0014). Multiple recurrences were only seen in patients with persistent dilating reflux at follow-up (p = 0.019). Deterioration on scintigraphy was seen in eight children (9 kidneys) with no difference between treatment groups (p = 0.48) or sex (p = 0.17). Renal deterioration was associated with high bladder capacity (BC) and large residual volume (PVR) at 1 year (p = 0.0092 and p = 0.041). Six of the eight children with renal deterioration had a recurrent UTI (p = 0.0032). Seven of nine renal units with deterioration were seen in children with persistent VUR 3-5 at follow-up. Univariable logistic regression identified female sex and high PVR as positive predictors for recurrent UTI (p = 0.039 and 0.034) and high PVR tended to predict renal deterioration (p = 0.053).

DISCUSSION

No differences between the treatment groups regarding recurrent UTI and renal deterioration could be found. Increased PVR and female sex were positive predictors for UTI recurrences. VUR grade at follow-up was correlated to UTI recurrence and renal deterioration.

CONCLUSION

This study did not show any difference between ET and CAP in reducing the risk of UTI recurrence or renal deterioration. The rate of VUR resolution was higher in the ET group and VUR grade at follow-up correlated with both UTI recurrence and renal deterioration.

[Urinary tract infection caused by Enterobacteriaceae and its relationship with vesicoureteral reflux]

BACKGROUND

The first urinary tract infection can be a marker of a urinary tract anomaly, mainly vesicoureteral reflux. The aim of this work was to determine the association between isolated enterobacteria with the presence and grade of vesicoureteral reflux in neonatal patients with their first urinary tract infection.

METHODS

A retrospective, observational and analytic study of newborns, who were admitted to the Neonatal Department, University Pediatric Hospital "Juan Manuel Márquez," in Havana, Cuba, from 1992 to 2013 was conducted. The causal microorganism of urinary tract infection was from the Enterobacteriaceae family. They were evaluated by radio imaging. The association between the presence and grade of vesicoureteral reflux with the causal microorganism of the urinary tract infection was analyzed.

RESULTS

Newborn infants with urinary tract infection (450) were studied. Bacterial isolations in the urine cultures corresponded to E. coli in 316 cases (70.2%). The prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux was 18.2%. The presence of bacteria corresponding to the Enterobacteriaceae family (other than E. coli) had significant risk association with vesicoureteral reflux (OR: 2.02; p < 0.01) and vesicoureteral reflux classification (for higher grades, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

E. coli is the most frequent causal microorganism in neonatal urinary tract infection. However, an association between the isolation of a microorganism of the Enterobacteriaceae family different to E. coli with the presence of vesicoureteral reflux and mainly with higher grades of vesicoureteral reflux exists.

Predictors Of Non-Escherichia Coli Urinary Tract Infection

We aimed to determine which children are prone to non-Escherichia coli urinary tract infection (UTIs). We included 769 children with UTI. We found that circumcised males, Hispanic children, children without fever and children with grades 3 and 4 vesicoureteral reflux were more likely to have a UTI caused by organisms other than E. coli. This information may guide clinicians in their choice of antimicrobial therapy.

Urinary Imaging Findings in Young Infants With Bacteremic Urinary Tract Infection

OBJECTIVES

To describe renal ultrasound (RUS) and voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) findings and determine predictors of abnormal imaging in young infants with bacteremic urinary tract infection (UTI).

METHODS

We used retrospective data from a multicenter sample of infants younger than 3 months with bacteremic UTI, defined as the same pathogenic organism in blood and urine. Infants were excluded if they had any major comorbidities, known urologic abnormalities at time of presentation, required intensive unit care, or had no imaging performed. Imaging results as stated in the radiology reports were categorized by a pediatric urologist.

RESULTS

Of the 276 infants, 19 were excluded. Of the remaining 257 infants, 254 underwent a RUS and 224 underwent a VCUG. Fifty-five percent had ≥1 RUS abnormalities. Thirty-four percent had ≥1 VCUG abnormalities, including vesicoureteral reflux (VUR, 27%), duplication (1.3%), and infravesicular abnormality (0.9%). Age <1 month, male sex, and non-Escherichia coli organism predicted an abnormal RUS, but only non-E coli organism predicted an abnormal VCUG. Seventeen of 96 infants (17.7%) with a normal RUS had an abnormal VCUG: 15 with VUR (Grade I-III = 13, Grade IV = 2), 2 with elevated postvoid residual, and 1 with infravesical abnormality.

CONCLUSIONS

Although RUS and VCUG abnormalities were common in this cohort, the frequency and severity were similar to previous studies of infants with UTIs in general. Our findings do not support special consideration of bacteremia in imaging decisions for otherwise well-appearing young infants with UTI.

Do English NHS Microbiology laboratories offer adequate services for the diagnosis of UTI in children? Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) Audit of Standard Operational Procedures

The National Institute of Care Excellence (NICE) 2007 guidance CG54, on urinary tract infection (UTI) in children, states that clinicians should use urgent microscopy and culture as the preferred method for diagnosing UTI in the hospital setting for severe illness in children under 3 years old and from the GP setting in children under 3 years old with intermediate risk of severe illness. NICE also recommends that all 'infants and children with atypical UTI (including non-Escherichia coli infections) should have renal imaging after a first infection'. We surveyed all microbiology laboratories in England with Clinical Pathology Accreditation to determine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for urgent microscopy, culture and reporting of children's urine and to ascertain whether the SOPs facilitate compliance with NICE guidance. We undertook a computer search in six microbiology laboratories in south-west England to determine urine submissions and urine reports in children under 3 years. Seventy-three per cent of laboratories (110/150) participated. Enterobacteriaceae that were not E. coli were reported only as coliforms (rather than non-E. coli coliforms) by 61% (67/110) of laboratories. Eighty-eight per cent of laboratories (97/110) provided urgent microscopy for hospital and 54% for general practice (GP) paediatric urines; 61% of laboratories (confidence interval 52-70%) cultured 1 μl volume of urine, which equates to one colony if the bacterial load is 106 c.f.u. l(-1). Only 22% (24/110) of laboratories reported non-E. coli coliforms and provided urgent microscopy for both hospital and GP childhood urines; only three laboratories also cultured a 5 μl volume of urine. Only one of six laboratories in our submission audit had a significant increase in urine submissions and urines reported from children less than 3 years old between the predicted pre-2007 level in the absence of guidance and the 2008 level following publication of the NICE guidance. Less than a quarter of laboratories were providing a service that would allow clinicians to fully comply with the first line recommendations in the 2007 NICE UTI in children guidance. Laboratory urine submission report figures suggest that the guidance has not led to an increase in diagnosis of UTI in children under 3 years old.

Urinary tract infections in the infant

Urinary tract infection (UTI) in an infant may be the first indication of an underlying renal disorder. Early recognition and initiation of adequate therapy for UTI is important to reduce the risk of long-term renal scarring. Ampicillin and gentamicin are traditionally the empiric treatment of choice; however, local antibiotic resistance patterns should be considered. Maternal antibiotics during pregnancy also increase the risk of resistant pathogens during neonatal UTI. Long-term management after the first UTI in infants remains controversial because of lack of specific studies in this age group and the risk-benefit issues for antibiotic prophylaxis between reduced recurrent disease and emergent antibiotic resistance.

Predictive risk factors in childhood urinary tract infection, vesicoureteral reflux, and renal scarring management

Approaches to the management of children with urinary tract infection (UTI), vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and renal scars have been challenged and have become controversial over the past decade. It is difficult to determine when, how, and which patients will benefit from the diagnosis and management of this condition. Therefore, the issues of diagnostic imaging, observation, follow-up, and intervention tend to be decided more on a case-by-case basis, rather than by using an algorithm. Over the past few years, there have been advances in the identification of risk factors that predispose patients with UTI to present with VUR, to develop recurrent UTIs and renal scars, to have deteriorating renal function, to show VUR improvement and/or spontaneous resolution, and to be candidates for and benefit from early surgical intervention.

Febrile urinary tract infections: clinical and laboratory diagnosis, imaging, and prognosis

According to the literature, febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common severe bacterial infections occurring in childhood, with potential serious long-term consequences. In recent years, there have been significant developments in our understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical and laboratory issues of febrile UTIs. Studies are focusing on the role of predisposing host factors related to genes regulating immune response, inflammation and fibrosis in the development of acute renal damage and subsequent processes leading to renal scars. All the available guidelines underline the importance of a correct diagnosis of febrile UTI to allow a more rational use of antibiotics and imaging. As a consequence, a shift from aggressive imaging studies to a more restrictive and targeted approach has been recently observed. Regarding the prognosis of febrile UTI, the introduction of prenatal ultrasound studies revealed that a great portion of the alterations at imaging (and thus of the clinical complications), previously attributed to postinfection scarring, were because of congenital kidney and urinary tract abnormalities. Although the long-term consequences of febrile UTIs are difficult to ascertain, it seems that children with febrile UTI, normal renal function and normal kidneys at start present a very low risk of developing decreased renal function or hypertension during follow-up. However, high body temperature and high procalcitonin levels during the acute phase of disease, which are indicative of severe inflammation, and the finding of renal scarring on imaging with DMSA scintigraphy 6 months after febrile UTI, together with the detection of congenital kidney and urinary tract abnormalities, indicate "kidney at risk" in UTI.

Urinary tract infection in small outpatient children: the influence of age and gender on resistance to oral antimicrobials

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial disease in small children in which treatment with antimicrobials is used. The worldwide increase of bacterial resistance to these drugs is threatening the efficacy of such treatment and may increase the risk for long-term damage. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the development of resistance to oral antimicrobials over a 10-year period in an unselected outpatient population of small children with first-time UTI. The patient material included 494 boys and 512 girls below 2 years of age with community acquired symptomatic UTI. Escherichia coli bacteria were isolated in 96 % of girls and 89 % of boys (p < 0.0001). The overall resistance of E. coli was 14 % to trimethoprim and below 1 % to cefadroxil and nitrofurantoin. Over the 10-year period, the trimethoprim resistance of E. coli increased from 5 to 17 % but remained unchanged to cefadroxil and nitrofurantoin. E. coli resistance to trimethoprim was related to age: 11 % below and 19 % above 9 months (p < 0.01). The increase in resistance over time and with age was found only in girls.

CONCLUSION

The increasing resistance of E. coli to trimethoprim makes this drug less suitable for empiric treatment of UTI. Young children with UTI seem predisposed to early development of resistance. Therefore, surveillance of resistance to antimicrobials with special regard to age and gender is recommended.

Febrile urinary tract infections in young children: recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

We report the recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, imaging evaluation and use of antibiotic prophylaxis in children with the first febrile urinary tract infection, aged 2 months to 3 years. They were prepared by a working group of the Italian Society of Pediatric Nephrology after careful review of the available literature and a consensus decision, when clear evidence was not available.

CONCLUSION

These recommendations are endorsed by the Italian Society of Pediatric Nephrology. They can also be a tool of comparison with other existing guidelines in issues in which much controversy still exists.

The characteristics of acute pyelonephritis in geriatric patients: experiences in rural northeastern Taiwan

Acute pyelonephritis causes hospitalization and is a commonly-ignored cause of death in geriatric patients. It has been well studied in young-adult populations but rarely in geriatric populations. The aim of our study was to analyze the characteristics of acute pyelonephritis in geriatric patients. The electronic admission records of a community hospital in northeastern Taiwan were retrospectively screened from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2006. The basic characteristics, laboratory findings and infectious microorganisms of all subjects were evaluated. Sixty-five subjects (mean age 71.6 +/- 4.9 years; range 65-84 years) and 73 admission records contributed by them were enrolled. These 65 subjects, including one who died in hospital, were predominantly female (52 subjects; 80%). Twenty-two subjects (33.8%) had co-existing diabetes mellitus, 9 subjects (13.8%) had co-existing tumors, and 19 subjects (29.2%) had a history of intra-abdominal surgery. The admission records revealed right kidney involvement (52.1%), co-existing urolithiasis (50.7%) and admission to wards of internal medicine (57.5%). Urological procedures were performed on 20 (27.4%) of all 73 admission records. Escherichia coli was the most common infecting microorganism (19.2% of all records; 42.4% of records with positive microorganism culture). Hemoglobin < 10 g/dl was a significant predictive factor for both hospital stay > 7 days and serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dl (p = 0.003 and 0.002, respectively). Positive microorganism culture was also a significant predictive factor for hospital stays > 7 days (p < 0.001). In our geriatric patients with acute pyelonephritis, low hemoglobin levels implied co-existing renal insufficiency and prolonged hospitalization. Positive microorganism culture also implied prolonged hospitalization.

Normal dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy makes voiding cystourethrography unnecessary after urinary tract infection

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that infants with dilating vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) have abnormal acute dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy results, as was suggested by an earlier retrospective study.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a prospective study of infants <1 year old with first diagnosed symptomatic urinary tract infection at the Children's Hospital of Göteborg, Sweden. Two hundred ninety consecutive children (161 boys and 129 girls) with complete records were examined. Renal ultrasound scanning and DMSA scintigraphy were performed within a few days from diagnosis, and VCU was performed within 2 months.

RESULTS

VUR was found in 52 children, of which 27 had dilating VUR (grade III-V). DMSA scintigraphy results were abnormal in 149 infants (51%), 105 of 238 (44%) without VUR, 18 of 25 (72%) with VUR grade I to II, and 26 of 27 (96%) with VUR grade III to V (P <.001).

CONCLUSION

DMSA scintigraphy results were abnormal in all 27 infants with dilating VUR except 1. This single false-negative finding should be compared with 140 unnecessary VCU investigations. This supports our hypothesis that DMSA scintigraphy results are abnormal when there is dilating VUR. Thus, a normal DMSA scan makes VCU unnecessary in the primary examination of infants with UTI.

Urinary tract infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae in children

There are few reports on urinary tract infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae or Haemophilus parainfluenzae in children. The true incidence is not known, since bacteria of Haemophilus species do not grow in standard urine culture media. With the objective of investigating the occurrence and character of urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Haemophilus bacteria in children, we searched the files of our UTI clinic. Over a 24-year period 36 children with Haemophilus spp. bacteriuria were identified out of a total of more than 5,000 UTI episodes. There was a significant gender difference in that Haemophilus influenzae dominated in girls and Haemophilus parainfluenzae in boys. With one exception, all children had important urinary tract abnormalities, such as malformation, gross reflux or bladder dysfunction. Permanent renal damage was seen in 25. We conclude that growth of Haemophilus bacteria in urine is associated with serious urinary tract abnormalities. The inability of bacteria of the Haemophilus species to grow in standard media commonly used for culture of uropathogens suggests that the true frequency of these strains as a cause of urinary tract infections is underestimated.

First urinary tract infection in neonates, infants and young children: a comparative study

In an attempt to evaluate first urinary tract infection (UTI) in neonates and infants, we estimated retrospectively in 296 patients (62 neonates and 234 infants) clinical and laboratory findings, occurrence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), urinary tract abnormalities and pyelonephritis. First UTI occurred more often in male than female neonates, whereas male and female infants/young children were affected at an equal rate. The pathogens isolated in urine cultures of neonates and infants did not statistically significantly differ (P>0.05); Escherichia coli predominated. Gram-negative bacteria other than E. coli affected boys more often than girls (P=0.0022). Fever was the most frequent symptom. Neonates had lower-grade fever of shorter duration than infants (P<0.05). The incidence of reflux and urinary tract abnormalities did not differ between neonates and infants, male and female neonates and infants (P>0.05). Pyelonephritis affected neonates and infants at an equal rate; it was more prevalent among female patients (P=0.038) and patients with VUR or urinary tract abnormalities other than VUR (P<0.0001). Neonates with reflux were more often affected by Gram-negative bacteria other than E. coli than were neonates without reflux (P=0.0008).

Community-acquired enterococcal urinary tract infections

Enterococcal urinary tract infection (UTI) is usually hospital-acquired and affects individuals with predisposing conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the community-acquired enterococcal UTIs in otherwise well children. We reviewed all the 257 first UTI episodes in children hospitalized in a General Hospital during a 5-year period. Enterococcus faecalis was isolated in 13 episodes, accounting for 5.1% of the total UTIs. All strains were susceptible to ampicillin, vancomycin and nitrofurantoin. Imaging studies revealed major urinary tract abnormalities in 9 and parenchymal defects in 8 children. During a follow-up period from 2 to 6 years, 4 children suffered break-through infections despite antibiotic prophylaxis, 3 developed renal scarring and 4 underwent corrective surgical procedures. Children with enterococcal UTIs presented with significantly higher rates of anatomical abnormalities and worse prognosis in terms of renal scarring, recurrences and corrective surgery compared with the total cohort of children with Gram-negative UTIs. However children with enterococcal UTIs did not present with a worse prognosis when compared with a group of children with Gram-negative UTIs matched for age and degree of reflux. Enterococcal infection is not an independent risk factor for poor outcome, nevertheless positive urine culture including enterococci is highly indicative for underlying urinary tract abnormalities, recurrences, renal scarring, and need for surgical intervention.

DIMERCAPTO-SUCCINIC ACID SCINTIGRAPHY INSTEAD OF VOIDING CYSTOURETHROGRAPHY FOR INFANTS WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTION

PURPOSE

We study the ability of dimercapto-succinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy to predict the presence of dilating vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in infants with urinary tract infection (UTI) to simplify the evaluation protocol.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the records of 303 children younger than 2 years with initial UTI investigated with DMSA scintigraphy and voiding cystourethrography (VCU) within 3 months after UTI was performed.

RESULTS

In 156 of the 303 children (51%) DMSA scintigraphy showed renal lesions. VUR was found in 80 patients (26%) and VUR grade significantly correlated with the presence of renal lesions. A normal DMSA scintigraphy and dilating VUR (grade III) occurred in 7 infants. At followup after 1 to 2 years, 6 of these 7 patients had normal DMSA scans and 1 had a scarred duplex kidney. VUR resolved spontaneously in 5 and improved spontaneously to grade 1 in 2 patients. None of the 7 children had recurrent UTI.

CONCLUSIONS

DMSA scintigraphy in infants with UTI may replace VCU as a first line investigation. A strategy to perform VCU in only patients with renal lesions is proposed. In this study 147 of 303 VCUs would have been unnecessary as only 1 child with a damaged kidney was missed.

Antibiotic resistance of urinary tract pathogens and rationale for empirical intravenous therapy

Empirical antibiotic treatment in urinary tract infection (UTI) in children must rely on surveillance data on the epidemiology and resistance patterns of common uropathogens. A retrospective analysis of bacteria isolated from children with UTI irrespective of underlying disease or pre-treatment was performed at the University Hospital of Freiburg, Germany, in 1997, and from 1999 to 2001. In the first study period, 261 positive urine samples and in the second period 684 positive samples were analyzed. Escherichia coli (57.2%) was the leading uropathogen followed by Enterococcus spp. (13.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.0%), Proteus spp. (5.9%), Klebsiella spp. (4.7%), and Enterobacter/Citrobacter spp. (4.3%). Almost 50% of the E. coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin, but effectively no resistance against cephalosporins, aminogylcosides, ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, and imipenem was observed. In Enterococcus spp. the resistance to ampicillin was about 15% and 40% to netilmicin, while none of the latter showed high-level aminoglycoside resistance. In P. aeruginosa, there was no resistance to aminoglycosides. No difference in resistance patterns between the two study periods was observed. We conclude that an empirical combination treatment of ampicillin and gentamicin, netilmicin, or tobramycin is appropriate in children with UTI independent of pre-treatment or underlying disease. This therapy should be clinically efficacious, well tolerated, and cost effective, and should prevent unnecessary development of antimicrobial resistance.

Risk factors in the development of early technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scintigraphy lesions during first urinary tract infection in children

AIM

To establish the variables that correlate with uptake defects in dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy performed in the acute phase of a first episode of urinary tract infection (UTI).

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in a cohort of 158 consecutive children with a first episode of symptomatic UTI. The therapeutic delay time (TDT) was recorded. DMSA scintigraphy was performed in all children and voiding cystourethrography in 150 of them.

RESULTS

85% of the patients were younger than 2 y. Mean TDT was 33.5 h. The aetiological agent was Escherichia coli in 140 children. DMSA scintigraphy was normal in 81. Vesicoureteric reflux was detected in 33. After a multivariate logistic regression analysis the following variables were retained in the final model: TDT > or = 48 h, growth of bacteria other than E. coli, percentage of polymorphonuclear cells > or = 60% and C-reactive protein > or = 30 mg l(-1).

CONCLUSION

TDT > or = 48 h, bacteria other than E. coli, percentage of polymorphonuclear cells > or = 60% and CRP > or = 30 mg l(-1) influence the findings detected in the DMSA scintigraphy performed in the acute phase of a first episode of UTI.

The potential role of probiotics in pediatric urology

PURPOSE

The application of select microbial strains to increase the host population of good bacteria is called probiotics, a term defined as "live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host." This review was done to evaluate the potential role that probiotic therapy may have in pediatric urology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Many children around the world die of diseases, such as gastrointestinal infection and HIV, while many have urinary tract infections that subsequently recur frequently in adulthood. Until recently the role of intestinal and urogenital (vaginal, urethral and perineal) microflora in health and disease has received scant attention. The data available in the literature on this topic were examined and a personal viewpoint is presented on how they may relate to urology.

RESULTS

There is mounting evidence that certain strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria have a major part in the maintenance and restoration of health in children and adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Implications for pediatric urology include a decreased risk of infection and stone disease as well as possible positive effects on preventing and managing inflammatory and some carcinogenic diseases.