[Antibiotic prophylaxis in urology].

There is little reason why the organism could benefit from the presence of micro-organisms in the urine. In the case of severe infection, the consequences can be devastating, both for the health of the individual and for the overall effect in terms of health care costs. There is thus a clear need for a reduction in the number and severity of urinary tract infections by a strictly controlled, well-planned, antibiotic prophylaxy. Beyond well-established rules concerning timing, duration, dose and, in certain cases, indications of antibiotics, there remains a number of questions yet to be fully understood. What is the ecologic impact of antibiotic prophylaxy? What is the original source of infection in patients undergoing multiple procedures? What is the relationship between serum concentrations and efficacy? What is the role of in situ germs and nosocomial agents? These and other questions require rigorously conducted research where not only urologists but also bacteriologists, infectiologists and public health specialists all have an important role to play.