Catheter-associated urinary tract infections in critically Ill patients with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) pose a significant challenge in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with COVID-19.

The study aims to assess the prevalence of CA-UTIs, identify the causative pathogens and their resistance profiles, and determine the risk factors and outcomes associated with CA-UTIs in ICU patients with COVID-19.

Single-center, retrospective cohort study.

The study included 201 adult ICU patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 2020 and July 2021. Patients were categorized into CA-UTI (n = 56) and non-CA-UTI (n = 145) groups. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical course, treatment, and outcomes were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for CA-UTI.

CA-UTIs developed in 28% of patients (n = 56). Incidence density of 15.8 episodes per 1000 catheter days. The average onset occurrence is 7.2 days after ICU admission. Patients with CA-UTI had longer ICU stays (18.8 days vs 10.5 days, p < 0.001) and more elevated mortality rates (75.0% vs 54.5%, p = 0.010), higher mechanical ventilation (MV) usage (98.2% vs 88.3%, p = 0.027), a longer average duration of MV (16.6 days vs 9.1 days, p < 0.001). Longer ICU and hospital stays were significant risk factors for CA-UTI. Other factors, such as the use of corticosteroids, chronic organ insufficiency or immunocompromized status, female sex, age, diabetes mellitus, and the duration of urinary catheterization, did not show significant associations with CA-UTI risk in this cohort. Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae (28 cases), was the most common pathogen, with a high prevalence of multidrug resistance (38.8%) with type ESBL, MBL, NDM, and OXA-48. The occurrence of multidrug resistant (MDR) organisms was 68.8%.

The findings of this study underscore the prevalence of CA-UTIs in ICU patients with COVID-19, significantly impacting patient outcomes. Effective infection control and targeted antimicrobial therapy are crucial to managing these infections.