Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Patient Population: Adult
Diagnosis Common Pathogens Drug(s) of First Choice Alternative Drug(s) Comments Expected Duration
Acute prostatitis 

Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli)

N. gonorrhoeae

C. trachomatis

Ciprofloxacin

OR 

Trimethoprim/

sulfamethoxazole

If high risk for sexually transmitted infection, refer to link below:

https://idmp.ucsf.edu/content/sexually-transmitted-infections

 

Antibiotic penetration in the acute inflammatory state is adequate for most antibiotics

Test for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis in sexually active patients and treat as indicated

2-4 weeks

Cultures should be obtained and definitive therapy should be based on sensitivities
Chronic prostatitis  Enterobacterales spp (E. coli)

Ciprofloxacin 

OR 

Trimethoprim/

sulfamethoxazole

 

Few drugs penetrate non-inflamed prostate

Fluoroquinolones and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole adequately penetrate in non-inflamed state

Test for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis in sexually active patients

Consider urologic evaluation

*Cultures should be obtained and definitive therapy should be based on sensitivities.
6-8 weeks
Asymptomatic bacteriuria 

Enterobacterales spp

Enterococcus spp

No antibiotic treatment required, replace or remove urinary catheter

 

Pyuria, foul smelling or cloudy urine alone are not indications for treatment

Exceptions: pregnant women, patients having traumatic urologic procedures, ANC < 500, recent renal transplant (3 months)
0 days
Catheter-associated candiduria Candida spp

Treatment not generally required

  Pyuria is not an indication for treatment 0 days  
Community-acquired pyelonephritis/complicated UTI, hospitalized patient  Enterobacterales spp (e.g. E. coli, Proteus)

Ceftriaxone

OR

Ertapenem 

(if most recent microbiology suggesting resistance or for hemodynamically unstable patients)

For severe beta-lactam allergy:

Aztreonam

Switch to oral therapy when susceptibilities known and patient stable

Consider prostatitis in males with UTI and fever

7 days
Community-acquired pyelonephritis/complicated UTI, outpatient 

Enterobacterales spp (E. coli)

Enterococcus spp

Ceftriaxone X 1 dose 

Followed by 

Ciprofloxacin 

OR

Ciprofloxacin (as monotherapy if ceftriaxone not available)

Ceftriaxone X 1 dose

Followed by one of the agents below:

Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole 

OR 

oral β-lactam (amoxicillin/clavulanate, cefuroxime, cefpodoxime)

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is preferred if organism is susceptible

 

Consider prostatitis in males with UTI and fever

Urinalysis and urine culture should be performed and therapy adjusted based on culture and sensitivity

7 days

 

Health onset urinary UTI

Enterobacterales spp (e.g. E. coli, Proteus)

P. aeruginosa (less common)

Ertapenem (if most recent microbiology suggesting resistance or or for hemodynamically unstable patients)


OR


Piperacillin/
Tazobactam

For severe PCN allergy:
Aztreonam
 

Criteria: signs and symptoms compatible with a UTI, no other identified source of infection, & ≥ 100,000 cfu of  ≥ 1 bacterial species on urine culture

Pyuria alone is not an indication for treatment.

A negative urinalysis suggests an alternative source of infection

Remove catheter if possible.

Switch to oral therapy when susceptibilities known and patient stable

Consider prostatitis in males with UTI and fever

7 days 
Health onset catheter associated UTI 

Enterobacterales spp  (e.g. E. coli, Proteus)

P. aeruginosa (less common)

Ertapenem (if most recent microbiology suggesting resistance or severe infection going to the ICU)

OR

Piperacillin/ tazobactam

For severe beta-lactam allergy:

Aztreonam

Criteria: signs and symptoms compatible with a UTI, no other identified source of infection, & ≥ 100,000 cfu of  ≥ 1 bacterial species on urine culture

Pyuria alone is not an indication for treatment

A negative urinalysis suggests an alternative source of infection

Remove catheter if possible

 Switch to oral therapy when susceptibilities known and patient stable

Consider prostatitis in males with UTI and fever

7 days 
Uncomplicated Cystitis, Women 

Enterobacterales spp (E. coli)

Staph. saprophyticus (Coagulase negative staphylococcus) (4%)

Nitrofurantoin 100 mg PO BID x 5 days (avoid if CrCl < 30 mL/min)

Cephalexin 500 mg PO BID x 5-7 days

Reserve for patients at highest risk of failure (selection for resistant isolates):

Ciprofloxacin 500mg PO q12h x 3 days

Fosfomycin 

Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole 1 DS PO BID x 3 days (if no previous antibiotic therapy)

Asymptomatic bacteriuria and/or pyuria are not indications for treatment

Exceptions: pregnant women, patients having traumatic urologic procedures, ANC < 500, recent renal transplant (3 months)

IDSA guidelines state Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole is appropriate if resistance rates do not exceed 20%

In patients with recurrent UTIs, review recent microbiology to help determine empirical therapy

3-7 days depending on antibiotic chosen