Related Experiment Videos
Untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria in girls: I--Stability of urinary isolates
S Hansson1, D Caugant, U Jodal
1Department of Paediatrics, Gothenburg University, East Hospital, Sweden.
Insights
Spontaneous bacterial strain changes are uncommon in children with untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria. These shifts, often due to medical intervention, do not characterize the typical course of this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Microbiology
- Urology
Background:
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is the presence of bacteria in urine without symptoms.
- Understanding bacterial dynamics in ASB is crucial for clinical management.
- Previous studies have not fully elucidated spontaneous bacterial strain shifts in pediatric ASB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of spontaneous bacterial strain alterations in girls with untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria.
- To differentiate between spontaneous and medically influenced strain changes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of bacterial isolates from 54 girls (3.3-15.5 years) with Escherichia coli ASB.
- Utilized serotyping and electrophoretic analysis of sequential isolates.
- Included patients with and without renal scarring.
Main Results:
- Analyzed 151 patient-years of untreated ASB.
- Identified 24 bacterial strain changes.
- Eleven of these changes were linked to antibiotic treatment for other infections.
Conclusions:
- Spontaneous bacterial strain changes in pediatric ASB are infrequent (1 per 11.6 patient-years).
- Medically induced changes are a significant factor.
- Strain fluctuation is not a hallmark of untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Objective:
To assess the frequency of spontaneous changes of bacterial strains in patients with untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Design:
Retrospective analysis of samples from all patients with renal scarring and random sample of patients with normal kidneys.
Setting:
Outpatient clinic for children with urinary tract infections.
Patients:
54 Girls aged 3.3-15.5 years with untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria caused by Escherichia coli.
Intervention:
None.
End Point:
Change in bacterial strain.
Measurements And Results:
Serotyping and electrophoretic analysis of sequential bacterial isolates, representing 151 patient years of untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria. A total of 24 changes of strain were identified. Eleven were related to medical interference such as treatment of other infections with antibiotics.
Conclusions:
Spontaneous changes of strain were uncommon, one change in 11.6 patient years, and thus are not a characteristic feature of the course of asymptomatic bacteriuria.