Lower Urinary Tract Infections: Complications

 - Infection damages the urinary tract epithelium causing fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition -> Urinary Tract Scarring

 - Infection of the lower urinary tract ascends/extends above the bladder -> Infection of the kidney parenchyma -> Pyelonephritis

 - Bacterial toxins and inflammation damage epithelial barrier -> Bacteria gain access to blood supply -> Widespread cytokine release resulting in a systemic inflammatory response  -> Urosepsis

 - In males, bacteria from urethra travel to prostate via prostatic ducts -> Prostatitis

 - Urease-producing bacteria (Proteus, Klebsiella) degrade urea which may cause supersaturation of urine -> Struvite stones (Ca2+, Mg2+, PO43-, NH3)



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