By Paolo Spriano
Source Medscape
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, predominantly in women. They often lead patients to consult a general practitioner (GP), who typically prescribes an antibiotic treatment. Over the course of their lifetimes, about half of all healthy women will experience at least one UTI, and 25%-35% of them will have a recurrence within the following year. Recurrent UTIs generally occur within 3 months of the initial infection, even after complete symptom resolution with first-line antimicrobial therapy.
Antibiotic treatment remains the predominant approach for recurrent UTIs. These infections account for 25%-40% of antibiotics consumed in primary care and represent a significant driver of antibiotic resistance. The global rise in antibiotic resistance, particularly of Escherichia coli, has complicated therapeutic choices for UTIs, and the lack of effective oral antibiotics can lead to a growing need for more effective treatments.