Related Experiment Videos
Asymptomatic bacteriuria: when to screen and when to treat
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Health Sciences Centre, 820 Sherbrook Street, Room GG443, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9 Canada. lnicolle@hsc.mb.ca
Infectious Disease Clinics of North America
|July 10, 2003
Summary
Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is common but rarely causes harm. Screening and treatment for ASB are recommended only for specific groups, such as pregnant women, to prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is frequently detected in urine cultures across various populations.
- While common, ASB is seldom linked to adverse health outcomes in most individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for screening and treating ASB in different patient groups.
- To identify populations that benefit from ASB screening and treatment versus those that do not.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of clinical literature on ASB management.
- Analysis of risk factors and outcomes associated with ASB in diverse populations.
- Evaluation of benefits and harms of ASB treatment.
Main Results:
- ASB screening and treatment benefit pregnant women and those undergoing genitourinary interventions.
- Benefits of ASB screening are unclear for renal transplant recipients.
- No negative outcomes attributable to ASB are described for most individuals; treatment may cause harm.
Conclusions:
- ASB screening and treatment are recommended only for selected groups with proven benefits.
- Treatment of ASB in the general population is not beneficial and may lead to adverse effects.
- Further research is needed to address management strategies for ASB in different populations.