Chronic Cystitis

WHAT IS A CHRONIC UTI AND HOW DOES IT OCCUR?

The inner lining of the bladder is known as the urothelium. It is comprised of urothelial cells. A Chronic UTI occurs when pathogenic bacteria in the urine penetrate these cells in the bladder lining, activating the immune system which sets up an inflammatory response.

The commentary below gives a detailed account of how this occurs

00 Chronic urinary infection Picture Commentary August 2018 (1).pdf (1.13 MB)

Unreliable Testing for UTIs

Standard NHS tests are insensitive and miss many acute and chronic infections. Several studies have discredited dipstick urine tests and routine urine culture which is based on a criteria devised in the 1950s and has never been up-dated in the light of more recent research. You cannot rely on an NHS culture to diagnose an infection!

PRACTITIONERS

There are only a limited number of practitioners in the UK who are willing to test and treat Chronic UTI. The following are the main practitioners at present. For a full list of practitioners, join BHUK to receive a copy of our Chronic Infection Pack.

   Dr Catriona Anderson MB ChB BSc(Hons), MRCGP, DFSRH

Dr Anderson is a private GP based at Focus Medical Clinic in Staffordshire. She has a specialist interest in microbiology and womens bladder health.

No GP referral is required to see Dr Anderson as she is a private GP herself and she also holds a number of clinics in London. Appointments for both her London and Staffordshire clinics can be booked via Focus Medical Clinic in Staffordshire (Tel:  01782 703007).

        Dr Rajvinder Khasriya

Dr Khasriya is a Uro-Gynaecologist based at the Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) Clinic at the Whittington Hospital, London. She will treat patients via the NHS following a tertiary referral from a consultant.

     Professor James Malone-Lee's Clinic   

Professor Malone-Lee now has a team of clinicians practicing privately at 10 Harley Street, London who have been trained by him to treat chronic UTI. They will see patients who have a referral from their GP.

Appointments can be made via the clinic secretary (Tel:  07568 40211)

Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic UTI

Diagnosis and treatment for Chronic UTI varies between specialists.

Dr Anderson and Mr Ali favour rigorous testing and culture of samples. Following a positive result, they will prescribe long-term antibiotics but also on occasion use Uromune, the UTI vaccine and Hiprex. They will also advocate natural products such as D-Mannose where appropriate.

Professor Malone-Lee and his team and Dr Khasriya do not culture but examine a fresh urine sample under a microscope for the presence of bacteria. They rely on a detailed history from their patients to gain an understanding of their condition. They prescribe long-term antibiotics, together with Hiprex.

For further information on Chronic UTI join us to receive our Chronic Infection Pack.