Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns and Empirical Therapy in Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are among the commonest bacterial infections treated in primary care and hospitals, and most are first treated before a culture result is available. This review summarises published evidence on the organisms that cause them, how antimicrobial susceptibility is measured and reported, regional resistance patterns, and the guideline logic behind empirical choices such as nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, trimethoprim and fluoroquinolones. It also covers extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers and stewardship. The literature shows rising resistance to older oral agents, wide geographic variation, and limited local data in many settings. No new patient data are reported, and conclusions rest on surveillance studies, trials and guidelines produced by others.