**6. Conclusions**

*E. coli* bacteriuria is not associated with a decline in renal function or the development of end-stage renal failure in a population of generally healthy adult women. However, *E. coli* bacteriuria may increase the risk of future hypertension, but the pathogenesis is not understood.

Women with DM (type 1 or type 2) with ASB do not have an increased risk for a faster decline in renal function or the development of hypertension. Therefore, screening and treatment of ASB in diabetic women is not warranted.

Since nearly all studies are performed in women, it is not possible to make conclusions about the association between ASB, renal function and hypertension in men.

No differences in renal function prognosis between patients with and without ASB following kidney transplantation were demonstrated. However, the incidence of pyelonephritis was much higher in the group of patients with ASB. Therefore, screening protocols may be beneficial in this group of patients.
