Turnover of Bacteriuria in Old Age

Abstract

Among 352 residents of a home for the elderly, who were fully mobile and devoid of most predisposing factors for bacteriuria, 19% of men and 27% of women had two positive cultures within two months. Positive conversion at one year among men and women negative at entry was 11% and 23% respectively, negative conversion of bacteriurics 22% and 27%. Subjects bacteriuric at entry but sterile at six months had a 77% (men) and 44% (women) reinfection rate at 12 months. The data indicate firstly that a significant proneness to infection does exist in old age, coupled with a lesser trend toward spontaneous cure; the latter is equal to that of younger ages. Thus, prevalence rises steadily in old age. Secondly a previous history of bacteriuria in a subject with currently sterile urine increases his chances of reinfection or recurrence two to seven times compared to those of subjects without past infection.

Urinary Characteristcs and Infection in the Very Aged

“…Significant bacteriuria as used in the present study is the most com mon criterion in clinical practice [3,6,7], Determination of the urinary leukocytes has been recommended as a screening method for significant bacteriuria [6]. It ap pears from the present series that bacterial staining is the best screening method for as sessing significant bacteriuria (table V).…”

“…The prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) is known to increase with age [3,7,10]. There is no data on urinary 'abnormalities' and its significance in the very old.…”

Asymptomatic bacteriuria in a population of elderly in municipal institutional care

“…Among elderly people living in institutions of various kinds, the prevalence of ABU is even higher, varying between 19% and 33% in men and between 18% and 50% in women (7 -10). Studies have also shown that bacteriuria among the elderly can vary over time (7,8,11).…”

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria: Significance for Different Patient Population

“…Physiological changes during pregnancy, including dilatation of the ureters and renal pelvis, allow bacteria in the bladder to reach the kidneys and produce pyelonephritis (Shortliffe, 1986). 20% to 30% of bacteriuric pregnant women develop an acute pyelonephritis during www.intechopen.com pregnancy if untreated, in contrast to only 1-3% of pregnant women who received antibiotics (Golan et al, 1989, Kasviki-Charvati et al, 1982. It is well documented that acute pyelonephritis in late pregnancy is associated with prematurity (Gilstrap et al, 1981, McGrady et al, 1985, Mittendorf et al, 1992.…”