Chronic cystitis: a non-diagnosis.

Sequential clinical and bacteriological information is needed for all patients with recurrent urinary infections to determine if infections are recurring due to failure to eradicate organisms from the urine during therapy (persistence), failure to eradicate organisms from renal parenchyma (relapse), or re-entry of organisms into the urinary tract from the fecal perineal reservoir (reinfection). If properly applied, these diagnostic definitions facilitate appropriate management of women with recurring urinary infection. Treatment may include single dose therapy and longterm low dose prophylaxis.