Publication:

Bacterial colonization associated with prolonged catheterization: Who is at risk?

Background CAUTI (Catheter-associated urinary tract infection) is the most common adverse event associated with indwelling urinary catheter use. Despite innate mechanisms of intact urinary tracts, uropathogens are capable of colonizing and persisting in this environmental niche. This prospective observational study was done to evaluate age and gender as independent risk factor associated with acquisition of infection..

Methods Study was done on 339 non-repetitive urine samples from catheterized patients. Semi-quantitative bacterial culture was performed and isolates were identified by standard biochemical tests.

Results In present study 82.00% (278/339) significant bacteriuria was observed. No predilection of infection to any particular gender was observed, patients of both genders were affected, males being marginally more 201/239 (84.10%) than females 77/100 (77.00%). Females with significant bacteriuria were more asymptomatic 50/77 (70.12%) where as men had symptomatic CAUTI 115/201 (57.21%). Distribution of culture results were studied with respect to age, maximum number of significant bacteriuria was observed among age group >60 years 95/104 (91.34%). Further, it was analyzed that elderly females (93.33%) were more prone to CAUTI then males (90.54%). Gram negative bacteria (GNB) were predominant isolates 215/278 (77.33%) and among GNB, Escherichia coli was most common isolate 85/278 (30.57%).

Conclusions Thus, we observed significant bacteriuria is common among catheterized patients but predisposition to UTI results from several factors. Though in this study no predilection of infection was observed to any particular gender but prevalence varies widely with age and more among elderly.