• Urinary tract infection is common
• The incidence is higher in women, probably due to the shorter female urethra
• The major organisms are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus species
• Lower tract infection is usually superficial with no long term consequences
• Upper tract infection can involve the deep renal tissues and cause renal damage
• Static urine, or a focus for infection such as a stone can cause recurrent infection
• Pregnancy dilates and lowers the tone of the ureters which increases the risk of upper tract infection
• In small children vesico-ureteric reflux can cause upper tract obstruction and renal damage.

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C. A. O'Callaghan 2004