Bacteriuria Health Dictionary

The presence of bacteria in the urine that is abnormal.

The presence of unusual bacteria in the urine, usually a sign of infection in the kidneys, bladder or urethra. Normal urine usually contains some harmless bacteria; however, if bacterial numbers in a cleanly caught mid-stream specimen exceed 10,000 in each millilitre, that is abnormal. Investigation is necessary to ?nd a cause and start treatment.

Patients found to have bacteriuria on SCREENING may never have consulted a doctor but nearly all have a few symptoms, such as frequency or urgency – so-called ‘covert bacteriuria’.

Men have longer urethras and fewer urinary tract infections (UTIs) than women. Risk factors include diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, impaired voiding and genito-urinary malformations. Over 70 per cent of UTIs are due to E. coli, but of UTIs in hospital patients, only 40 per cent are caused by E. coli.

Treatment Patients should be encouraged to drink plenty of water, with frequent urination. Speci?c antibiotic therapy with trimethoprim or amoxicillin may be needed.

n. the presence of bacteria in the urine (105/ml) with or without symptoms of urinary tract infection (e.g. burning or frequent urination). Asymptomatic bacteriuria is more common in women (especially during pregnancy), the elderly, and in patients with diabetes, bladder catheters, and spinal cord injuries. Unless treated with antibiotics, patients are at higher risk of kidney infections (*pyelonephritis).