Urinary tract infection remains one of the most common reasons for an
individual seeking medical advice. Although the associated morbidity
varies widely in adults, such infections are less common but may
constitute severe, life-threatening illness in children and in the
elderly. Diagnostic tests and treatment have been rationalized in recent
years but many practising doctors still have difficulty in appreciating
the patho-physiological principles involved. Particular difficulty is
often experienced when treating patients with recurrent urinary tract
infections, covert bacteriuria, vesico-ureteric reflux, elderly patients
and those with indwelling catheters. These topics are fully discussed in
this volume. Each chapter has been written by a recognized expert and
practical aspects of patient management have been emphasized. The
information presented in this volume should prove of interest not only
to nephrologists but to all practising clinicians. VII ABOUT THE EDITOR
Professor Graeme R. D. Catto is Professor in Medicine and Thera- peutics
at the University of Aberdeen and Honorary Consultant Phy-
sician/Nephrologist to the Grampian Health Board. His current interest
in transplant immunology was stimulated as a Harkness Fellow at Harvard
Medical School and the Peter Bent Brighton Hos- pital, Boston, USA. He
is a member of many medical societies includ- ing the Association of
Physicians of Great Britain and Ireland, the Renal Association and the
Transplantation Society. He has published widely on transplant and
reproductive immunology, calcium metab- olism and general nephrology.
