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European Association of Urology guidelines on urological infections: summary of the 2024 guidelines

  • Jennifer Kranz,
  • Riccardo Bartoletti,
  • Franck Bruyère,
  • Tommaso Cai,
  • Suzanne Geerlings,
  • Bela Köves,
  • Sören Schubert,
  • Adrian Pilatz,
  • Rajan Veeratterapillay,
  • Florian M E Wagenlehner,
  • Kathrin Bausch,
  • Wout Devlies,
  • József Horváth,
  • Lorenz Leitner,
  • Guglielmo Mantica,
  • Tunde Mezei,
  • Emma J. Smith,
  • Gernot Bonkat

Background and objective

Urological infections significantly impact the wellbeing and quality of life of individuals owing to their widespread occurrence and diverse clinical manifestations. The objective of the guidelines panel was to provide evidence-based guidance on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and male accessory-gland infections, while addressing crucial public health aspects related to infection control and antimicrobial stewardship.

Methods

For the 2024 guidelines on urological infections, new and relevant evidence was identified, collated, and appraised via a structured assessment of the literature. Databases searched included Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Libraries. Recommendations within the guidelines were developed by the panel to prioritise clinically important care decisions. The strength of each recommendation was determined according to a balance between desirable and undesirable consequences of alternative management strategies, the quality of the evidence (including the certainty of estimates), and the nature and variability of patient values and preferences.

Key findings and limitations

Key recommendations emphasise the importance of a thorough medical history and physical examination for patients with urological infections. The guidelines stress the role of antimicrobial stewardship to combat the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance, providing recommendations for antibiotic selection, dosing, and duration on the basis of the latest evidence.

Conclusions and clinical implications

This overview of the 2024 EAU guidelines offers valuable insights into managing urological infections and are designed for effective integration into clinical practice.