[Nosocomial urinary infections: epidemiology, detection, prevention and management]

Urinary tract infection is the most common of nosocomial infections, as demonstrated by numerous prospective surveys, especially the American NNIS. 2.5 p. 100 of hospitalized patients are likely to acquire a nosocomial urinary tract infection, usually directly due to indwelling urinary catheters. The prognosis is very good in most cases, but relapsing of persistent infections are extremely frequent and may raise very difficult therapeutic problems, as with chronic prostatitis. Such infections can be prevented, at least in 30 to 40 p. 100 of the cases, by applying simple and well-defined guidelines. However, infection remains difficult to control in hospitals since a precise management of its incidence and a sustained teaching programme are mandatory.