Cranberry Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Cranberry, including details on benefits, antioxidants, utis, cystitis.

Recurrent urinary tract infections.

Franco AV

Department of Urogynaecology and Pelvic Reconstruction, 4th Floor Lanesborough Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT, UK. avmfranco@yahoo.com

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in women, and one in four of these women will develop a recurrence. Various risk factors predispose women of different age groups to recurrence. These factors include sexual intercourse, use of contraception, antimicrobials, oestrogen, genetics, and the distance of the urethra from the anus. Of the different pathogens, Escherichia coli is the organism most commonly isolated. A variety of treatment options has been proposed, including long-term or post-intercourse prophylaxis and patient-initiated therapy. Oestrogen and cranberry juice have also been used as prophylactic treatment adjuncts. At present, other therapeutic and preventive modalities are being investigated, including the development of vaccines to treat those most severely affected.

Published 5 December 2005 in Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol, 19(6): 861-73.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Cranberry Research Today. All Rights Reserved.