Urinary tract infections in the elderly

Urinary tract infections are defined by the presence of microorganisms in the urinary tract. The elderly population is classically composed of subjects aged 65 and over (WHO definition). However, in reality, this population is very heterogeneous, ranging from the healthy or robust to the frail and polypathological. In the elderly, urinary tract infection has many particularities, hence the interest in studying it. It is the first bacterial infection of the elderly, the first cause of nosocomial infection and the second reason for consultation in the city. It is responsible for a significant morbidity and mortality; it is a real public health problem. In the elderly, many factors contribute to an atypical presentation of the infection, which causes a delay in diagnosis. These factors are also responsible for the involvement of specific or antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. The increasing multi-resistance of community uropathogens to antibiotics complicates the management of the infection in this vulnerable population.

Autorentext

Dr Benammar Sonia, especialista em Microbiologia Médica, licenciado pela Universidade de Constantino e MCA-HU na Faculdade de Medicina de Batna (Argélia). No meu curso de medicina, tive a oportunidade de trabalhar ou de fazer formações em serviços de Virologia-Bacteriologia de vários hospitais franceses e no IP Argel.