Risk factors for lower urinary tract infection and bacterial stent colonization in patients with a double J ureteral stent.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the potential risk factors for lower urinary tract infection and bacterial stent colonization in patients with double-J stents.


METHODS
A total of 195 double-J stents from 190 patients (95 men and 95 women, mean age 40.22 years) were examined. In all patients, prophylactic antimicrobial therapy was administered at the time of stenting. The stents and urine samples were removed aseptically and the proximal and distal tip segments of the stents were obtained. Three culture specimens were obtained from each stent segment and urine sample. Chi-square tests, odds ratio, and relative risk were used for the statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Bacterial colonies were found in 24% (47 of 190) of the urine samples, 31% (61 of 195) of the proximal stent segments, and 34% (67 of 195) of the distal stent segments. Of the pathogens identified, Escherichia coli (34 of 47) was the most common. Diabetes mellitus (P < 0.01), chronic renal failure (P < 0.001), and pregnancy (P < 0.01) were found to be risk factors for lower urinary tract infection in patients with stents. An increased stent colonization rate was associated with implantation time, age, and female sex, but these were not statistically significant for lower urinary tract infection


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, and pregnancy are associated with a higher risk of lower urinary tract infection. Therefore, patients in these categories should be monitored carefully for infectious complications.
Akay
Ali Ferruh
AF
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Dicle University, 21280 Diyarbakir, Turkey. aliak@dicle.edu.tr
Aflay
Uğur
U
Gedik
Abdullah
A
Sahin
Hayrettin
H
Bircan
Mehmet Kamuran
MK
D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D015607:Stents / Q000382:microbiology*; D014513:Ureter / Q000382:microbiology*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology