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What is True Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infection? Comparison of Pathogens Identified in Urine from Routine Outpatient Specimens and from Community Clinics in a Prospective Study

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Abstract

In order to identify the true nature of community-acquired urinary tract infections, the uropathogens isolated from 100 patients with urinary tract infection included in a prospective study conducted in community clinics were compared to 244 isolates from outpatient urine specimens routinely submitted to the laboratory. Significant differences in both the spectrum of bacteria and their antibiograms were found between the two groups. Laboratory data analysis of uropathogens from outpatient urine specimens may not reflect the true bacteriology of urinary tract infections acquired in the community. Hence, surveys based on laboratory data alone may overestimate resistance rates, leading to misinformed choices being made when treatment is empirical.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, MD2, National University of Singapore, 18 Medical Drive, 117597, Singapore

    T. Y. Ti

  2. Division of Microbiology, National University Hospital, 5, Lower Kent Ridge, 119074, Singapore

    G. Kumarasinghe

  3. Department of Microbiology, MD4, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, 117597, Singapore

    M. B. Taylor

  4. Healthway Medical Clinic, Block 110, #01-231 Lengkong Tiga, 410110, Singapore

    S. L. Tan

  5. Tampines Polyclinic, Block 1, Tampines Street 41, 529203, Singapore

    A. Ee

  6. University Health Service, NUS, 10, Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore

    C. Chua

  7. Raffles Medical Group, Block 585, #02-00, North Bridge Road, 188770, Singapore

    A. Low

Authors
  1. T. Y. Ti
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  2. G. Kumarasinghe
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  3. M. B. Taylor
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  4. S. L. Tan
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  5. A. Ee
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  6. C. Chua
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  7. A. Low
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Correspondence to T. Y. Ti.

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Ti, T.Y., Kumarasinghe, G., Taylor, M.B. et al. What is True Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infection? Comparison of Pathogens Identified in Urine from Routine Outpatient Specimens and from Community Clinics in a Prospective Study. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 22, 242–245 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-003-0893-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-003-0893-7

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