[Urinary tract infections in adults: old and current aspects]

Urinary tract infections are common clinical problems. Intense research in the last decade has led to improved knowledge about the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of these infections. Virulence factors of uropathogenic E. coli have been well defined. Factors putting the host at increased risk of infections such as behaviour in women and men and genetic determinants in women such as blood-group secretor status have been elucidated. Several diagnostic studies have shown that in symptomatic women colony counts of > or = 10(2) CFU/ml [CFU = colony forming units] of urine usually indicate infection. Finally, optimal and cost-effective management of urinary tract infections is now well defined based on clinical studies. We review the management of urinary tract infections in adults taking into account recent research data and some of the still controversial issues.