European Association of Urology Guidelines on Urological Infections: Summary of the 2024 Guidelines.

Background And Objective: Urological infections significantly impact the wellbeing and quality of life of individuals owing to their widespread occurrence and diverse clinical manifestations. The objective of the guidelines panel was to provide evidence-based guidance on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and male accessory-gland infections, while addressing crucial public health aspects related to infection control and antimicrobial stewardship.

Methods: For the 2024 guidelines on urological infections, new and relevant evidence was identified, collated, and appraised via a structured assessment of the literature.

Scientific Advances in Understanding the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection in the Past 10 Years.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a very common disease that is accompanied by various complications in the affected person. UTI triggers diverse inflammatory reactions locally in the infected urinary bladder and kidney, causing tissue destruction and organ failure. Moreover, systemic responses in the entire body carry the risk of urosepsis with far-reaching consequences.

The diagnostic yield of the Meares & Stamey test can be significantly improved by symptom-based patient selection and the experience of the test performer.

Background: Even if Meares-Stamey 4-glass (M&S) test is regarded a decisive tool for diagnosing prostatitis its use is only rarely performed in everyday clinical practice. Here, we analyze if the diagnostic yield of the M&S test could be improved by a pre-test categorization of patients due to undergo a M&S test.

Methods: All clinical and microbiological data of patients who underwent M&S test in two urological centers from January 2004 to December 2021 were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study.

[Urinary tract infections including pyelonephritis].

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections. The clinical phenotypes of UTIs are heterogeneous, ranging from rather benign uncomplicated infections to complicated UTIs and pyelonephritis to severe urosepsis. There has been a sharp increase in the incidence of severe UTIs, whilst the incidence of sepsis in general is declining.

[New antibiotics for the treatment of urinary tract infections].

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections. The clinical phenotypes of UTIs are heterogeneous, ranging from rather benign uncomplicated infections to complicated UTIs and pyelonephritis to severe urosepsis. Antibiotics have become indispensable in modern medicine, but the development of resistance is threatening clinical effectiveness.

Artificial Intelligence Can Guide Antibiotic Choice in Recurrent UTIs and Become an Important Aid to Improve Antimicrobial Stewardship.

Background: A correct approach to recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) is an important pillar of antimicrobial stewardship. We aim to define an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for predicting the clinical efficacy of the empiric antimicrobial treatment in women with rUTIs.

Methods: We extracted clinical and microbiological data from 1043 women.

Practice Patterns in Fournier's Gangrene in Europe and Implications for a Prospective Registry Study.

Background: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a life-threatening, necrotizing infection. Due to the rareness of the disease, it is challenging to plan robust prospective studies. This study aims to describe current practice patterns of FG in Europe and identify implications for planning a prospective FG registry.

Psychosocial burden of recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are a leading cause of bacterial infections in women. Despite acute treatment, 30-50% of women who have a UTI will experience a recurrence within 6-12 months. In this review, the focus will be on the personal psychosocial impacts of recurrent UTI.

Translation and validation of the Korean version of acute cystitis symptom score.

Purpose: Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) is a simple self-reporting questionnaire initially developed in Uzbek language to help diagnose acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC). The purpose of this study was to translate the ACSS to Korean and validate the Korean version of ACSS using Korean-speaking women.

Materials And Methods: The original version of ACSS in Uzbek was translated into the target (Korean) version according to internationally accepted guidelines for the translation and cultural adaptation.

Management of Recurrent Cystitis in Women: When Prompt Identification of Risk Factors Might Make a Difference.

Background: Management of recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) is still challenging. A better understanding of the natural history of rUTI could help us reduce antibiotic use and improve antibiotic stewardship.

Objective: To describe the effect of risk identification, stratification, and counseling on the natural course of the disease in women with rUTI.

Comparative Analysis of Guideline Adherence between Germany and Austria by Using the Example of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections.

Background: Medical guidelines represent the evidence-based state of the art of their scientific field. They aim to guide decisions for physicians and patients about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. However, guideline recommendations are often not adhered to in clinical practice.

Clinical Validation of the Greek Version of the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS)-Part II.

The Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) is a patient self-reporting questionnaire for the clinical diagnosis and patient-reported outcome (PRO) in women with acute uncomplicated cystitis (AC). The aim of the current study (part II) is the clinical validation of the Greek ACSS questionnaire. After linguistic validation according to internationally accepted guidelines and cognitive assessment (part I), the clinical validation was performed by using the Greek ACSS study version in 92 evaluable female participants including 53 patients with symptoms suspicious of AC and 39 controls.

Linguistic and clinical validation of the acute cystitis symptom score in German-speaking Swiss women with acute cystitis.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The Global Prevalence Study of Infections in Urinary tract in Community Setting (GPIU.COM) includes epidemiological aspects of acute cystitis (AC) in women in Germany and Switzerland. The primary study relates to the German version of the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS), a self-reporting questionnaire for self-diagnosis and monitoring the symptomatic course of AC in women.

[Contemporary practice patterns in the treatment of Fournier's gangrene in German academic medicine and their implications for planning a registry study].

Background: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a sporadic and life-threatening disease, but the outcome has not improved in recent years.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was the description of current practice patterns in German academic medicine. The secondary aim was the identification of factors associated with a higher mortality rate.

Anti-Biofilm Effect of Octenidine and Polyhexanide on Uropathogenic Biofilm-Producing Bacteria.

Background: A catheter allowing a release of antibacterial substances such as antiseptics into the bladder could be a new way of preventing biofilm formation and subsequent catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

Methods: Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentration (MIC/MBC) determinations in cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth and artificial urine were performed for 4 antiseptics against 3 uropathogenic biofilm producers, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis. Furthermore, effects of octenidine and polyhexanide against catheter biofilm formation were determined by quantification of biofilm-producing bacteria.

Hyperbaric Oxygenation in the Treatment of Fournier's Gangrene: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a sporadic, life-threatening, necrotizing infection affecting the perineum, perineal region, and genitals. Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) improves tissue perfusion and promotes angiogenesis and collagen synthesis. Despite these positive effects of HBO, the indication and the effects on outcome as adjunct therapy in FG remain controversial.

Epidemiology, definition and treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.

UTIs are amongst the most frequent bacterial infections. However, the clinical phenotypes of UTI are heterogeneous and range from rather benign, uncomplicated infections to complicated UTIs (cUTIs), pyelonephritis and severe urosepsis. Stratification of patients with UTIs is, therefore, important.