Urology>>>>>Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
Question 6#

For urinary catheters and UTI the following are false, EXCEPT:

A. 1%–2% of ambulatory patients develop UTI after single catheterisation
B. Open drainage indwelling catheter results in bacteriuria in 100% cases in 3–5 days
C. Biofilm develops in between catheter and the urethral mucosa
D. Up to 50% of patients catheterised for more than 28 days will suffer from catheter encrustation and blockade
E. Antibiotic prophylaxis decreases the rate of bacteriuria in patients on intermittent catheterisation

Correct Answer is E

Comment:

Answer E

Catheters provide a surface for a bacterial biofilm formation and residual urine is increased through pooling below the catheter bulb. The biofilm forms on the surface of the catheter. The daily rate of colonisation is 5%, so that by 4 weeks almost 100% are colonised with bacteria. It is estimated that all long-term catheters are colonised with at least two organisms. In the UK, UTI is the most common hospital-acquired infection accounting for 23% of all infections and the majority of these are associated with catheters.