Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are some of the most common infections in human medicine
worldwide, recognized as an important public health concern to healthcare systems
around the globe. In addition, urine specimens are one of the most frequently submitted
samples for culture to the clinical microbiology laboratory, exceeding the number
of most of the other sample types. The epidemiology, species-distribution and susceptibility-patterns
of uropathogens vary greatly in a geographical and time-dependent manner and it also
strongly correlated with the reported patient population studied. Nevertheless, many
studies highlight the fact that the etiological agents in UTIs have changed considerably,
both in nosocomial and community settings, with a shift towards "less common" microorganisms
having more pronounced roles. There is increasing demand for further research to advance
diagnostics and treatment options, and to improve care of the patients. The aim of
this review paper was to summarize current developments in the global burden of UTI,
the diagnostic aspects of these infectious pathologies, the possible etiological agents
and their virulence determinants (with a special focus on the members of the Enterobacterales
order), current guidelines and quality indicators in the therapy of UTIs and the emergence
of multidrug resistance in urinary pathogens.
