ABSTRACT
The landscape of management of urinary tract infections (UTI) is changing rapidly. The COVID-19 pandemic draws our attention to the SARS-CoV-2 management with a subsequent reduced attention on bacterial infections. The COVID-19 diffusion containing procedures, such as use of facemasks and handwashing, have reduced spreading of bacteria and bacterial lung infections. However, a brief analysis of UTI management during the COVID-19 pandemic reveals that the pandemic has changed our management of UTI in a way that violates the principles of antimicrobial stewardship. We therefore remind all urologists and other physicians who manage patients affected by UTI about the importance of continued adherence to antimicrobial stewardship principles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB) represents a disease often underestimated by urological specialists, particularly in settings such as the European one, where the pathology is less frequent. Similar to other uncommon diseases at these latitudes, GUTB is a neglected clinical problem. In this light, the aim of this review is to give a comprehensive overview of GUTB in order to provide a useful tool for urologists who seldomly manage this disease. A non-systematic review of genitourinary tuberculosis was performed on relevant articles published from January 1990 to July 2021 using PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. GUTB represents up to a quarter of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) cases. Diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical work-up have been deeply reviewed and summarized. The mass migration of refugees to Europe as well as the ease of international travel is gradually leading to an upsurge in urological diseases such as GUTB, which were previously only rarely encountered in some European countries. The poor TB knowledge of European urologists should be improved through medical education courses, webinars or telematic means.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unlike anything seen before by modern science-based medicine. Health systems across the world are struggling to manage it. Added to this struggle are the effects of social confinement and isolation. This brings into question whether the latest guidelines are relevant in this crisis. We aim to support urologists in this difficult situation by providing tools that can facilitate decision making, and to minimise the impact and risks for both patients and health professionals delivering urological care, whenever possible. We hope that the revised recommendations will assist urologist surgeons across the globe to guide the management of urological conditions during the current COVID-19 pandemic.