What is the recommended treatment for a pregnant woman with cystitis caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli)?

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Tratamiento de Cistitis por E. coli en Embarazadas

Las embarazadas con cistitis por E. coli deben ser tratadas con fosfomicina trometamol 3 g en dosis única, nitrofurantoína 100 mg dos veces al día por 5-7 días, o cefalosporinas de primera generación, evitando trimetoprim-sulfametoxazol en el primer y tercer trimestre. 1, 2

Consideraciones Diagnósticas Esenciales

  • Siempre realizar urocultivo en embarazadas con síntomas de cistitis, a diferencia de mujeres no embarazadas donde puede ser opcional 1
  • La cistitis en el embarazo es una entidad clínica distinta caracterizada por síntomas del tracto urinario inferior (disuria, frecuencia, urgencia) sin síntomas sistémicos 3
  • E. coli causa aproximadamente 80% de los casos de infecciones urinarias en embarazadas 2, 4, 5

Opciones de Tratamiento de Primera Línea

Fosfomicina Trometamol

  • Dosis: 3 g en dosis única 1
  • Segura y efectiva para bacteriuria asintomática y cistitis aguda en embarazo 2
  • Mínima resistencia y bajo daño colateral ecológico 1
  • Las guías europeas de 2024 la recomiendan específicamente para embarazadas con bacteriuria asintomática (recomendación débil) 1

Nitrofurantoína

  • Dosis: 100 mg dos veces al día por 5-7 días 1
  • Excelente opción con mínima resistencia 4, 5, 6
  • Segura durante el embarazo 4, 5
  • No debe usarse cerca del término del embarazo por riesgo teórico de anemia hemolítica neonatal

Cefalosporinas de Primera Generación

  • Cefalexina es una alternativa apropiada 4, 5
  • Seguras durante todo el embarazo 4
  • Tasas de resistencia generalmente <10% 1

Opciones a Evitar o Usar con Precaución

Trimetoprim-Sulfametoxazol

  • NO usar en el primer trimestre (riesgo de defectos del tubo neural) 1, 7
  • NO usar en el tercer trimestre (riesgo de kernicterus neonatal) 1
  • Puede usarse en segundo trimestre si el patógeno es susceptible 1
  • Resistencia elevada (>20%) en muchas regiones 1

Ampicilina

  • NO debe usarse debido a altas tasas de resistencia de E. coli 4, 5

Fluoroquinolonas

  • Generalmente evitadas en embarazo por preocupaciones sobre desarrollo fetal 1
  • Reservadas para infecciones graves cuando no hay alternativas

Duración del Tratamiento

  • Tratamiento de curso corto estándar es apropiado 1
  • Fosfomicina: dosis única 1, 2
  • Nitrofurantoína: 5-7 días 1, 4
  • Cefalosporinas: 3-7 días 4, 5

Seguimiento Crítico

  • Las recurrencias son frecuentes durante el embarazo (17% en un estudio) 3
  • Realizar urocultivo de seguimiento después del tratamiento para confirmar erradicación 2, 4
  • Si los síntomas no se resuelven o recurren dentro de 2-4 semanas, realizar nuevo urocultivo y pruebas de sensibilidad 1
  • Considerar profilaxis antibiótica si hay infecciones recurrentes 4, 5

Advertencias Importantes

  • La cistitis no tratada puede progresar a pielonefritis (10-30% de los casos), que pone en riesgo la vida de madre y feto 2, 4
  • La bacteriuria asintomática también debe tratarse en embarazadas para prevenir pielonefritis y parto prematuro 1
  • La mayoría de casos de cistitis ocurren en el segundo trimestre 3
  • Todas las embarazadas deben ser tamizadas rutinariamente para bacteriuria con urocultivo 4, 5

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

[Urinary tract infection in pregnancy].

Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica, 2005

Research

Cystitis during pregnancy: a distinct clinical entity.

Obstetrics and gynecology, 1981

Research

Urinary tract infections in pregnancy.

Current opinion in urology, 2001

Research

Urinary tract infections during pregnancy.

American family physician, 2000

Research

The current management strategies for community-acquired urinary tract infection.

Infectious disease clinics of North America, 2003

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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