Introduction: Accurate differentiation between upper and lower URINARY TRACT infection (UTI) requires invasive procedures. The objective of this study was to determine the morphology of RBC that originates from kidney or bladder for differentiating between upper and lower URINARY TRACT infection.materials and methods: UTI was induced by the injection of 0.5ml of normal saline containing human E coli (104/cc) into the bladder of rats (n=50). After 48 hours, the rat urine was drained from the bladder and analyzed for the morphology of RBC, culture and cell counter. For diagnosing pyelonephritis, both bilateral kidneys and bladder were biopsied for histopathology and culture.results: Dysmorphic RBC was detected in 33% (10/30) of the subjects with upper UTI and 13% (4/30) with lower UTI, which showed no significant difference (x2=0.04, P=0.63 Fisher Exact Test). The mean and SD of percentage of dysmorphic RBC in the subjects with upper and lower UTI were 35±34% and 44±43%, respectively, which revealed no significant difference (t=0.55, P=0.25). In this sudy, dysmorphic RBC showed rates of 45% sensitivity and 50% specificity for upper UTI diagnosis.conclusion: Urine osmolality may influence the results of RBC morphology for differentiating between upper and lower UTI.

Objective: Maternal URINARY TRACT infection is associated with intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery and low birth weight. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether maternal URINARY TRACT infection is related to neonatal URINARY TRACT infection. Materials and methods: The present prospective study included 230 singleton neonates. The participants were divided into two groups based on in utero exposure to maternal URINARY TRACT infections. The study group (exposure to maternal URINARY TRACT infection) included 115 neonates and the control group (without exposure to maternal URINARY TRACT infection) included 115 healthy neonates. Physical examination, urinalysis, urine culture and URINARY system ultrasonography were carried out for all neonates. Results: There were 153 deliveries by cesarean section and 77 vaginal births. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of gender distribution, maternal age, birth weight, mode of delivery, gravida and gestational age. Although the difference was not significant, the incidence of low birth weight and preterm delivery were higher in the study group in comparison to that in the control group. There was a statistically significant higher rate of neonatal URINARY TRACT infection in the study group compared with control group (25. 2% vs. 7. 8%, p<0. 001). The most commonly discovered pathogens were Escherichia coli, followed by Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., and Serratia spp. in the study group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the presence of maternal URINARY TRACT infection may contribute to increased URINARY TRACT infection frequency in the neonatal period. Neonates at risk for a URINARY TRACT infection should be regularly monitored due to nonspecific clinical presentation.

Recently, occurrence of URINARY TRACT endometriosis (UTE) is more frequently diagnosed. According to literature, it refers to approximately 0. 3 to even 12% of all women with endometriosis. The pathogenesis of UTE has not been clearly explained so far. The actually proposed hypotheses include embryonic, migration, transplantation, and iatrogenic theory. Most frequently UTE affects bladder, less often ureters and kidneys. One-third of patients remains asymptomatic or exhibits only minor manifestations. In symptomatic patients main complaints include dysuria, URINARY urgency, and/or frequency, painful micturition, and burning sensation in the urethra and discomfort in the retropubic area. Treatment of UTE is challenging and can be pharmacological, surgical or can be a combination of both methods. In this paper we present a review of the literature concerning the UTE, its diagnosis and treatment.

This interesting subject which has been studied by the colleagues from Ghods Hospital in Ghazvin, a historic city140 Km far from Tehran, is published in this issue of the journal.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of maternal UTI during pregnancy with neonatal UTI.Materials and Methods: One hundred and fourteen neonates admitted to hospital were enrolled in the present study, of whom 40 were admitted for management of UTI and 74 for management of jaundice. Urinalysis and urine culture were carried out for all of the neonates. Data regarding gestational age, history of UTI in the mother during pregnancy, and URINARY symptoms of neonates were collected.Results: The mean gestational age of the neonates was 38.4±1.4 weeks (range, 30 to 40 weeks) and their mean age at admission was 6.2±3.8 days old (range, 1 to 25 days). The mean gestational age and birth weight of the two groups with and without UTI were 38.38±1.32 weeks versus 38.41±1.62 weeks and 2930.43±492.15 g versus 2930±447.33 g, respectively. No abnormal findings were detected on physical examinations, and none of the neonate had abnormal renal ultrasonography findings. There was a significant relationship between maternal prenatal UTI and neonatal infection; 30.0% of the neonates with UTI versus 6.8% of those without UTI had mothers with a history of UTI (odds ratio, 5.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 18.3; P = .001).Conclusions: Our study showed an association between maternal and neonatal UTI. This indicates a possible benefit of evaluation of neonates of mothers who had UTI during pregnancy.