Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by microbes, such as bacteria, by overcoming the body’s immune defenses in the urinary tract. They can affect different parts of the urinary tract which includes the kidneys, bladder, tubes that run between them and the tube from the bladder out of the body. The predominant group of organisms responsible for UTI is mostly the Enterobacteriaceae, especially E. coli, which cause around 80–85% of urinary tract infections and accounts for 80-85% of the total isolate. The infection affects both genders; women are the most vulnerable due to their anatomy and reproductive physiology. Most of the UTIs are not serious but if the infection reaches the kidneys, serious illness and even death can occur. Ten percent of women >18 years of age report at least one suspected UTI every 12 months, but the majority of cases occur in women with a history of 2 or more previous UTIs. Approximately 20% to 40% of women with an initial UTI develop recurrent UTI. UTIs are among the most common conditions encountered in primary care, hospitals, and extended care facilities.
Ten percent of women >18 years of age report at least one suspected UTI every 12 months, but the majority of cases occur in women with a history of 2 or more previous UTIs. Approximately 20% to 40% of women with an initial UTI develop recurrent UTI. UTIs are among the most common conditions encountered in primary care, hospitals, and extended care facilities. According to global estimates, UTIs results in as many as 8.3 million visits to outpatient clinics, 1 million visits to emergency departments, and 100,000 hospitalizations annually. The prevalence increases with age, catheterization, sexual activity, menopause and prostate problems. The estimate shows that one-third of adult women are diagnosed with UTI before 24 years. They occur most frequently between the ages of 16 and 35 years, with 10% of women getting an infection yearly and 60% having an infection at some point in their lives. Recurrences are common, with nearly half of the previously affected people getting a second infection within a year.
Therapeutic research and development activities are encouraging, seeing the involvement of various companies and research institutes in this field. A majority of the pipeline drugs are in early stage (pre-clinical and discovery) of development. Companies like Achaogen, Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals and Merck are developing emerging Phase III therapies for UTIs. Various companies have also received Fast Track designations along with Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) for their pipeline drugs from regulatory authorities. This impressive spread of clinical development for UTI promises good treatment options in the near future.
