Symptom Changes and Ureaplasma urealyticum Reculture after Treatment with Broad-spectrum Antibiotics for Patients with Urinary Tract Infection

Lee, Sang Wook; Lee, Kwang Woo; Kim, Min Eui

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate urinary tract infections that are caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum(U. urealyticum) in female patients, we compared the positive reculture rate and the improvement of acute lower urinary tract symptoms after treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
aterials and Methods: From January 2006 to June 2007, 89 female patients who were experiencing acute lower urinary tract symptoms were culture positive for U. urealyticum culture, but they were negative on routine urine culture. U. urealyticum reculture after a 7 day regimen of broad spectrum antibiotic treatment and evaluation of symptoms were conducted in 74 patients.
RESULTS
The symptoms improved in 35 patients(mean age: 44.0 years), but they did not improve in 39 patients(mean age: 44.1 years). A significant difference in the reculture rate of U. urealyticum was evident between the improved symptom group(40%) and the persistent symptom group (87.2%). Of the 39 patients in the latter group, 22 improved after treatment with anti-ureaplasma antibiotics, including azithromycin and doxycycline.
CONCLUSIONS
The continued presence of U. urealyticum correlates with persistent acute lower urinary tract symptoms after broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. Culture examination for U. urealyticum should be considered for those female patients with persistent acute lower urinary tract symptoms after treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics.