FELINE URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS: NEW PATHOGENS, PRESENTATIONS, TREATMENTS

摘要

The lower urinary tract has a variety of host defense mechanisms to prevent bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI). Physical barriers such as the length of the urethra; high pressure zones within the urethra; bacteria-trapping longitudinal folds in the proximal urethra; and urethral peristalsis resulting in a unidirectional urine flow, form the first line of defense. These are supported by mucosal defense barriers, including a glycosaminoglycan layer and intrinsic mucosal antimicrobial properties, to prevent bacterial migration and colonization, and by the composition of the urine (Blanco et al, 2001; Bartges, 2005).