Microbiological and microstructural analysis of indwelling bladder catheters and urinary tract infection prevention

To analyze the microbiological and microstructural part of indwelling urinary catheters and their association with urinary tract infection prevention.

This is a cross-sectional study, from June to December 2020, in which 42 indwelling urinary catheter tips and sterile urine samples were collected for analysis of crystals in optical microscopy and biofilms in scanning electron microscopy. Culture analysis and specification of the type of bacteria were performed.

It was found that 35.71% of the samples had mature biofilm adhered to the catheter tip. Biofilms of Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecium and Enterobacter cloacae stood out. The presence of magnesium-ammonium-phosphate crystal was associated with the presence of urinary tract infection and with Proteus mirabilis. There was a significant association (p = 0.001) between the use of prophylactic antibiotics versus urine culture >105 CFU/mL.

The analyzes contributed to clinical practice, as it reinforces the development of effective and monitored strategies on cultures and urinary tract infection prevention associated with indwelling urinary catheters.