Catheter-associated urinary tract infections in intensive care units

Marc Leone, Franck Garnier, Michael Avidan, Claude Martin

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to analyze literature concerning the diagnosis, prevention, and management of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) occurring in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). Analysis was performed from personal and "Pubmed" data, crossing the following keywords: "urinary tract infection", "catheter', and "intensive care unit". Few clinical trials including ICU patients were found despite the abundance of expert opinions. There is no consensus on the use of urinary reagent tests for diagnosis. The prevention of CAUTI in ICU patients does not require expensive devices. Neither complex closed drainage systems nor silver-coated urinary catheters have demonstrated efficacy in comparative randomized clinical trials. Bladder irrigation should not be used, except when an obstruction of the catheter is highly likely. The administration of prophylactic antimicrobial therapy, although effective in reducing the incidence of urinary bacteria, cannot be recommended in ICU patients. The management of CAUTI in ICU patients has not been evaluated in clinical trials. The level of evidence provided in this field is weak, and underlines the need for randomized studies to improve management of patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1026-1032
Number of pages7
JournalMicrobes and Infection
Volume6
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2004

Keywords

  • Bacteriuria
  • Catheterization
  • Diagnosis
  • Intensive care unit
  • Management
  • Prevention
  • Review
  • Urinary tract infection

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