Asymptomatic bacteriuria in the elderly

Asymptomatic urinary infection is frequent in elderly populations. Morbidity attributable to asymptomatic bacteriuria is limited, and no long-term adverse outcomes have been identified. Antimicrobial treatment is not indicated because it does not alter the outcome, but it will promote the emergence of resistant organisms. Differentiating symptomatic from asymptomatic infection in the bacteriuric, highly impaired, institutionalized elderly resident remains a clinical dilemma.