Catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Abstract

The urinary tract infections are the most frequent nosocomial infections, and a great deal of them are connected with catheterization of the urinary bladder. Catheter-associated infections cause higher mortality rate at patients and increase the cost of treatment. The clarification of the mechanisms of their development makes it possible for more effective prevention and treatment. Defined are the risk factors for catheter-associated infections and the main guidelines for the decrease of their rate. Known are also the advantages and the risks of the conduction of antibiotic prevention and the potential benefit from the use of catheters with different antibacterial coverage. The treatment of catheter-associated infections is determined by the clinic appearance of the infection, and in asymptomatic patients the therapy should be postponed until the moment when the catheter could be removed.