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Review
. 2019 Summer;25(3):228-240.
doi: 10.1310/sci2503-228.

Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

Ana Flores-Mireles  1 , Teri N Hreha  2 , David A Hunstad  2
Affiliations
Review

Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

Ana Flores-Mireles et al. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2019 Summer.

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common microbial infections in humans and represent a substantial burden on the health care system. UTIs can be uncomplicated, as when affecting healthy individuals, or complicated, when affecting individuals with compromised urodynamics and/or host defenses, such as those with a urinary catheter. There are clear differences between uncomplicated UTI and catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI) in clinical manifestations, causative organisms, and pathophysiology. Therefore, uncomplicated UTI and CAUTI cannot be approached similarly, or the risk of complications and treatment failure may increase. It is imperative to understand the key aspects of each condition to develop successful treatment options and improve patient outcomes. Here, we will review the epidemiology, pathogen prevalence, differential mechanisms used by uropathogens, and treatment and prevention of uncomplicated UTI and CAUTI.

Keywords: CAUTI; prevalence; susceptibility; uncomplicated UTI; uropathogens.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) uropathogen prevalence. CN = coagulase-negative; NOS = not otherwise specified.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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