Indwelling urinary catheter infections in small community hospital. Role of urinary drainage bag

Ninety cases of closed drainage urinary catheterization were studied by daily bacteriologic monitoring with Microstix. In 23 per cent of the patients bacteriuria developed, and 92.6 per cent of all catheter infections occurred within three days. These infections occurred primarily in postsurgical patients, and were probably related to initial contamination during catheter insertion. Only 1 patient had a positive drainage bag urine culture prior to the development of bladder bacteriuria. At our institution poor catheter technique was much more important as a risk factor of nosocomial urinary tract infection than an antiseptic drainage bag system.     

Urethral meatal colonization in the pathogenesis of catheter-associated bacteriuria

Urethral meatal colonization with potential urinary tract pathogens was studied before bacteriuria in 31 consecutive acute spinal cord injury patients on an open ward (137 cultures) and 18 renal homotransplant patients in reverse isolation (80 cultures). All patients required indwelling urethral catheterization and no antimicrobials were given. Daily quantitative cultures of the urethral meatus, and bladder and drainage bag urine were obtained. The urethra was the source for 11 of 31 episodes of bacteriuria (35 per cent). Urethral meatal colonization with the organism responsible for bacteriuria, that is Escherichia coli (5 episodes), Staphylococcus aureus (2), Streptococcus faecalis (2) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (2), was persistent and present from 2 to 5 days before bacteriuria. In each ward 81 per cent or more of the cultures obtained on day 1 of catheterization showed no gram-negative colonization. Subsequently, the gram-negative colonization density increased in both groups but the increase was significant (p less than 0.001) only for patients on the open ward. Similar trends were observed for gram-positive colonization. The prevalence of potential pathogens was similar for patients whether or not they suffered bacteriuria. An increased density of bacterial colonization was associated with increased susceptibility to bacteriuria but the specific urethral meatal flora was not always predictive of the species responsible for bacteriuria.     

Effect of silver oxide/trichloroisocyanuric acid antimicrobial urinary drainage system on catheter-associated bacteriuria

We assessed the efficacy of silver oxide coating of the indwelling urethral catheter and catheter adapter, and instillation of trichloroisocyanuric acid into the urinary drainage bag in the prevention of catheter-associated bacteriuria in a prospective and randomized study of 74 patients. Bacteriuria was documented in 29 of the 74 patients (39 per cent). There was a significant difference between the attack rates, with 11 of 41 patients (27 per cent) in the test group and 18 of 33 (55 per cent) in the control group having bacteriuria (p equals 0.02) after a median time to bacteriuria of 36 and 8 days, respectively (p equals 0.01). Urethral meatal colonization was implicated as the source of bladder bacteriuria in 12 of 18 patients (67 per cent) in the control group and 5 of 11 (45 per cent) in the test group. Trichloroisocyanuric acid significantly reduced drainage bag contamination but bag contamination with the same microorganism responsible for bacteriuria preceded infection in only 2 of the 29 patients (7 per cent), 1 in each group. Patients who received systemic antimicrobial agents acquired bacteriuria less frequently than those who did not. The apparent protective effect of systemic antimicrobials was strongest during the first 4 days of catheterization. The data indicate that episodes of bacteriuria arising from the urethral meatus are common among catheterized patients and that the antimicrobial catheter is effective in reducing the incidence of catheter-associated bacteriuria.     

Evaluation of a vented drainage system in prevention of bacteriuria.

A vented urinary drainage system was compared to an otherwise identical non-vented system in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Among the 316 female patients evaluated there was a significant reduction in the rate of bacteriuria after 10 days using the vented system (66 per cent in the non-vented group versus 26 per cent in the vented group, p less than 0.05), while no significant difference could be demonstrated among the 190 male patients. We used urine hemoglobin as an indicator of mucosal trauma that might predispose to bacteriuria and no significant difference could be shown between the 2 drainage systems.     

Catheter-associated bacteriuria in patients in reverse isolation

We determined the incidence and source of bacterial colonization of the bladder in 18 consecutive renal transplant recipients who required postoperative indwelling urethral catheterization and who were in reverse isolation. The patients were catheterized for an average of 6 days. Bladder bacteriuria occurred in 5 patients (27 per cent): 2 owing to urethral organisms, 2 after breaks in the drainage system and 1 owing to an unidentified source. The drainage bag urine was contaminated rarely and never was a source of bladder bacteriuria. The data suggest that bacterial contamination of the drainage bag may be an infrequent source of bladder bacteriuria in patients with limited contact with a hospital environment.     

Urinary tract infection in oliguric patients with chronic renal failure

We studied 182 patients with chronic renal failure by urinalysis and urine cultures. Of the patients 27 per cent had significant bacteriuria (more than 10(5) per ml.), 38 per cent had significant pyuria (more than 10 white blood cells per high power field), 19 per cent had urinary tract infection and 7 per cent had symptomatic urinary tract infection. All 12 patients with symptomatic urinary tract infection had significant bacteriuria and 11 had significant pyuria, while 1 had 5 to 10 white blood cells per high power field. Incidences of urinary tract infection differed depending on the primary renal disease (12, 13, 41 and 67 per cent for chronic glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, polycystic kidney and chronic pyelonephritis, respectively). Among the patients with chronic glomerulonephritis no significant differences were seen in frequencies of bacteriuria and urinary tract infection between male and female patients or between those who did and did not undergo hemodialysis. Also, no significant correlation was seen between bacteriuria and daily urine output but pyuria was significantly more frequent in oliguric patients or those on hemodialysis.     

Incidence and risk factors of bacteriuria after transurethral resection of the prostate

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative bacteriuria is a frequent event after transurethral resection of the prostate, despite the use of prophylactic antibiotics. Certain risk factors have been clearly established (preoperative urinary catheter or bacteriuria, operating time), while others remain uncertain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study in five urology centers, including non-catheterized patients with sterile preoperative urine undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia. All received antibiotic prophylaxis with cefamandole. The incidence of bacteriuria and its risk factors were investigated. RESULTS: The postoperative bacteriuria rate was 26% (26/101), with 8% on removal of the catheter, 14% between the 7th and 10th postoperative days and 5% 1 month postoperatively. Factors associated with bacteriuria on univariate analysis were: operating time, disconnection of the closed urine drainage system and postoperative catheterization > or =3 days. Two variables were associated on multivariate analysis (logistic regression): operating time >52 min (odds ratio 9.0, 95% confidence interval 2.1-39.0) and disconnection of the closed urine drainage system (odds ratio 26.3, 95% confidence interval 6.1; 6.1-113). CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative bacteriuria rate after transurethral resection of the prostate was high in this study, raising the question of the choice and/or duration of prophylactic antibiotics. Prevention of postoperative bacteriuria must be based on careful hemostasis, prevention of postoperative catheter disconnections, and limitation of the duration of postoperative catheterization.     

The clinical significance of Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria

To investigate the rate of occurrence, clinical presentation, predisposing factors and frequency of secondary bacteremia 132 patients with significant Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria were reviewed retrospectively. Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 3.3 per cent of all positive urine cultures. Most patients were elderly men. The most important predisposing factors in the urinary tract were indwelling catheters (63 per cent), obstruction (56 per cent) and instrumentation or surgery (43 per cent). Bacteremia developed secondary to bacteriuria in all 11 patients (8.3 per cent). For that reason Staphylococcus aureus bacteriuria should be regarded as a hazardous condition, especially in patients with predisposing factors in the urinary tract.     

Incidence and importance of bacteriuria in postoperative, short-term urinary catheterization

The frequency and importance of bacteriuria in patients requiring short-term postoperative catheterization (24 to 48 hours) is unknown. From a prospective, controlled study of 100 patients requiring catheterization postoperatively, the authors determined that there was a definite risk (6%) of bacteriuria; however, a symptomatic urinary tract infection developed in only 1% of the patients. There was no advantage to using either a latex or silicone catheter. It appears that the risk of symptomatic bacteriuria in this group of patients is very low when a closed urinary drainage system is used under strict, sterile conditions of catheter insertion and with meticulous ongoing catheter care.     

Efficacy of a latex Foley catheter with sustained release of chlorhexidine: 1st report: Clinical trials for the prevention of urinary tract infection

Seventy five patients requiring urethral catheterization for over 24 hours were treated with a latex Foley catheter with sustained release of chlorhexidine in a closed drainage system. While the catheter was indwelling, urinary concentrations of chlorhexidine were maintained at the level of 1 to 2 micrograms/ml in average in almost all patients. The catheter was highly effective in preventing the acquisition of catheter-associated bacteriuria in patients with initially sterile urine without systemic antimicrobial therapy. The acquisition rate of bacteriuria was 8, 16, 23, 35 and 74% on day 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 with the catheter indwelling, respectively. The catheter was not effective in eradicating preexisting bacteriuria. Complications of the catheter were minimal.     

Anaerobic bacterium in renal transplantation

Renal allograft recipients were studied prospectively utilizing improved culture techniques to investigate anaerobic bacteriuria. The study population was compared with a population of patients with chronic renal insufficiency and end stage renal disease. The over-all incidence of anaerobic urinary tract infection was 7.5 per cent while the over-all incidence of aerobic urinary tract infection was 23.5 per cent. Patients with cadaver renal transplants during the early postoperative period had the highest incidence of both anaerobic (42.9 per cent) and aerobic (71.4 per cent) urinary tract infection of all groups. The potential association between significant anaerobic bacteriuria during the first postoperative month and poor prognosis for cadaver renal allografts merits further investigation.     

Clean intermittent catheterization in the management of the neurogenic bladder in children

Clean intermittent catheterization has been successful in the management of urinary incontinence and upper tract changes associated with a neurogenic bladder. The results of clean intermittent catheterization controlling urinary incontinence, ureteral reflux, upper tract dilatation and urinary infection in 84 children with a neurogenic bladder were evaluated for up to 3 years of followup. Of the children 41 (49 per cent) were totally incontinent and 14 (17 per cent) were slightly damp. Preexisting ureteral reflux deteriorated in 25 per cent of the patients, ceased in 35 per cent and was unchanged in 40 per cent, while pre-existing upper tract dilatation improved in 12.5 per cent and was unchanged in 87.5 per cent. On clean intermittent catheterization and antibacterial medication 90 per cent of the children had sterile urine and 7.5 per cent had 10(5) or more colonies per ml. Complications occurred on 54 occasions but were minor in nature and were corrected easily. Half of the parents, schools and children found clean intermittent catheterization very acceptable or acceptable but a quarter of the parents and patients found it unacceptable or slightly unacceptable, or were undecided. Initial management of urinary complications associated with neurogenic bladder in children has changed to the clean intermittent catheterization program, with greatly improved results compared to Credé's expression of the bladder, an indwelling urethral catheter or urinary diversion. However, the clean intermittent catheterization regimen was not effective completely, not without complications and not accepted completely by parents, schools and children.     

Management of neurogenic bladder in infancy and childhood.

Sixty-two patients, age twelve years and under, were treated for incontinence due to neurogenic bladder secondary to spina bifida (58) or trauma (4) with a follow-up period of three to thirty-two months (mean, ten months). In early life, patients were managed with the Credé maneuver (18 patients). Older children were managed with intermittent clean catheterization (44 patients) with or without pharmacologic agents. Continence was achieved with intermittent clean catheterization in 77 per cent, thus enabling these children to be more acceptable to their peers and in many cases attend schools from which they had previously been excluded because of urinary incontinence. With the Credé maneuver, renal deterioration was noted in 11 per cent on follow-up IVP, and in 2 per cent of the patients on intermittent clean catheterization. Recurrent asymptomatic bacteriuria occurred in 33 per cent of those with the Credé maneuver and in 55 per cent of the patients using intermittent clean catheterization. The use of antibiotic bladder irrigations reduced this incidence to 5 per cent. All patients with renal deterioration except one responded to intermittent clean catheterization; this patient was treated with cutaneous vesicostomy. Urodynamic assessment was performed in 15 patients, and this diagnostic tool assisted in the therapeutic management of these children.     

Catheter-associated bacteriuria. An experimental study

A bacteriologically-stressed catheterized animal model was developed to evaluate the comparative importance of the intraluminal versus the extraluminal route of catheter-acquired urinary tract infections. This study indicated that in short-term catheterization (less than 7 days), contamination of the drainage spout or accidental disconnection of the drainage tube resulted in bacteriuria within a short time (32-48 hours). If a strict sterile closed drainage system was maintained, the extraluminal route assumed more importance in the development of bacteriuria, however this pathway was considerably slower (72-168 hours). It appeared that catheter-associated bacteriuria results from ascending bacterial colonization within glycocalyx-enclosed biofilm on the inside and/or outside surfaces of the catheter and drainage systems. Development of a biomaterial that inhibits bacterial adherence and does not allow upstream colonization of bacteria on the catheter drainage system would significantly influence the rate of catheter-acquired urinary tract infection.     

Anaerobic bacteriuria in renal transplantation.

Renal allograft recipients were studied prospectively utilizing improved culture techniques to investigate anaerobic bacteriuria. The study population was compared with a population of patients with chronic renal insufficiency and end stage renal disease. The over-all incidence of anaerobic urinary tract infection was 7.5 per cent while the over-all incidence of aerobic urinary tract infection was 23.5 per cent. Patients with cadaver renal transplants during the early postoperative period had the highest incidnece of both anaerobic (42.9 per cent) and aerobic (71.4 per cent) urinary tract infection of all groups. The potential association between significant anaerobic bacteriuria during the first postoperative month and poor prognosis for cadaver renal allografts merits further investigation.     

Bacteriuria in young women. Effect of estrogen, progestogen, and estrogen-progestogen combination

Eighty-two women were assigned at random to either an estrogen, progestogen, estrogen-progestogen combination, or to a placebo taken orally three of four weeks for 12 cycles. All patients were fitted with an intrauterine device to prevent pregnancy. Urine cultures were obtained prior to study and at monthly intervals thereafter, and the cumulative incidence of acquired infection was calculated for all patients who stayed in the study for at least three months. The acquired bacteriuria incidence was: placebo 14.3 per cent, estrogen 15.8 per cent, estrogen-progestogen 18.7 per cent, and progestogen 35.7 per cent. The increased incidence with progestogen may be secondary to the production of a menopausal hormonal milieu, a common time for bacteriuria to occur in the female.     

Nosocomial urinary tract infections

Convenience to the hospital staff is certainly not an acceptable reason for the use of a potentially dangerous drainage tube. An indwelling urinary drainage catheter should be used only in patients who need multiple straight urinary catheterizations, develop urinary obstruction or incontinence, or are comatose and require frequent urinary output measurements. An indwelling catheter may also be needed for drainage or stenting during or following genitourinary surgery. Once it has been determined that urinary catheterization is necessary, a closed urinary drainage system catheter must be carefully and aseptically inserted by experienced hospital personnel after careful preparation. The closed drainage system must be meticulously maintained throughout the patient's hospitalization and catheterization. After the catheter is removed, a urinary culture should be performed to identify any postcatheter infection. If there is infection, the patient must be treated with antibiotics. If symptoms of a urinary tract infection, bacteremia, or sepsis ensue, treatment must be rapidly begun with antibiotics as appropriate on the basis of drug sensitivity testing. These techniques will not eliminate bacteriuria associated with urinary drainage catheters. However, they will reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality associated with urinary catheterization.     

India ink immune method for the study of antibody-coated urinary bacteria

The sediments of 373 urines were studied for antibody-coated bacteria by the India ink immune method. Positive results were obtained in 14.7 per cent of upper urinary tract infections, 18.9 per c nt of lower urinary tract infections, 29 per cent of bacteriuria, and 15.2 per cent in healthy girls. Since antibody-coated bacteria could find their way into negative urines only by contamination, 296 vulvar secretions were also examined. Positive results were obtained in 15.5 per cent of girls with urinary tract infections, 63.9 per cent of those with vulvitis and 24.1 per cent in girls with no infection. It is concluded from the results that the presence or absence of antibody-coated bacteria in the urine is unrelated to the site of urinary infection.     

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections in patients undergoing transurethral surgery

A study of 75 patients undergoing transurethral surgery with relatively short-term urethral catheterization with a sterile closed gravity drainage system revealed a 72% over-all incidence of negative urine cultures after catheter removal. The combination of prophylactic use of antimicrobials and a standardized catheter care system is valuable for preventing catheter-associated bacteriuria.     

Bacteremia and bacterium after transrectal prostatic biopsy

To determine the efficacy of parenteral gentamicin versus povidone-iodine enema (P.I.E.) in preventing infectious complications, a randomized study was undertaken in 40 patients undergoing transrectal needle prostatic biopsy. In 68 per cent of patients not receiving P.I.E. bacteremia developed, and 32 per cent acquired bacteriuria; whereas only 19 per cent of patients given P.I.E. alone or in combination with gentamicin became bacteremic, and 9.5 per cent had postbiopsy bacteriuria. Thus, P.I. E. provided a safe and effective means for preventing most bacteremia and bacteriuria associated with transrectal biopsy of the prostate.