Therefore, in research, usually a second specimen is analysed to confirm asymptomatic bacteriuria in women. For urine collected via bladder catheterization in men and women, a single urine specimen with greater than 100,000 colony forming units of a single species per millilitre is considered diagnostic. The threshold for women displaying UTI symptoms can be as low as 100 colony forming units of a single species per millilitre. However, bacteria below a threshold of 10000 colony forming units per millilitre are usually reported as "no growth" by clinical laboratories.Using special techniques certain non-disease causing bacteria have also been found in the urine of healthy people. These are part of the resident microbiota. Screening
Although controversial, many countries including the United States recommend a one time screening for bacteriuria during mid pregnancy. The screening method is by urine culture. Screening non-pregnant adults is recommended against by the United States Preventive Task Force. Treatment
The decision to treat bacteriuria depends on the presence of accompanying symptoms and comorbidities. Asymptomatic
Asymptomatic bacteriuria generally does not require treatment. Exceptions include those undergoing surgery of the urinary tract, children with vesicoureteral reflux or others with structural abnormalities of the urinary tract. In many countries, regional guidelines recommend treatment of pregnant women.There is no indication to treat asymptomatic bacteriuria in diabetics, renal transplant recipients, and in those with spinal cord injuries.The overuse of antibiotics to treat asymptomatic bacteriuria has many adverse effects such as an increased risk of diarrhea, the spread of antimicrobial resistance, and infection due to Clostridium difficile.
Bacteriuria is the presence of bacteria in urine. Bacteriuria accompanied by symptoms is a urinary tract infection while that without is known as asymptomatic bacteriuria. Diagnosis is by urinalysis or urine culture. Escherichia coli is the most common bacterium found. People without symptoms should generally not be tested for the condition. Differential diagnosis include contamination.If symptoms are present treatment is generally with antibiotics. Bacteriuria without symptoms generally does not require treatment. Exceptions may include pregnant women, those who have had a recent kidney transplant, young children with significant vesicoureteral reflux, and those undergoing surgery of the urinary tract.Bacteriuria without symptoms is present in about 3% of otherwise healthy middle aged women. In nursing homes rates are as high as 50% among women and 40% in men. In those with a long term indwelling urinary catheter rates are 100%. Up to 10% of women have a urinary tract infection in a given year and half of all women have at least one infection at some point in their lives. There is an increased risk of asymptomatic or symptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy due to physiological changes that occur in a pregnant women which promotes unwanted pathogen growth in the urinary tract. Signs and symptoms
Asymptomatic
Asymptomatic bacteriuria is bacteriuria without accompanying symptoms of a urinary tract infection and is commonly caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli. Other potential pathogens are Klebsiella spp., and group B streptococci.