Asymptomatic bacteriuria prevalence and its relationship with urinary tract infections in the elderly

Objective: The aim of this study was investigation of ASB prevalence and the relation for development of UTI in thepeople aged over 65 living in three nursing homes in Izmir province, Turkey.Methods: The people aged over 65 in three nursing homes in Izmir, who did not suffer from any urinary systemsymptoms, on whom no urinary catheterizations were applied within the last 15 days, and who had not received anyantibacterial treatments for the last one week for any reason, were included in the study between 2003 and 2004. Firsturine specimens were collected in the morning and the second were collected 24 to 48 hours later. ASB were includedin clinical follow-up for six months and whether or not any UTI developed was recorded at intervals. At the third month,however, it was investigated whether ASB continued in patients or not. Patients were also examined in terms of ASBfacilitating factors at same time.Results: ASB was detected in 146 (24.1%) of 606 patients and more frequent in females than males (%27.8 vs. %18.6;p=0.009). The prevalence of ASB increased by age and length of stay in the nursing home. UTI was not developed andno death occurred in any of the patients during the follow-up period. At the third follow up month, it was observed thatthe ASB except Proteus spp. continued likewise.Conclusion: The ASB prevalence was found as quite high in elderly in our country. Direct or indirect relationship betweenASB and UTI has not been established. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2013; 3(1): 18-23Key words: Asymptomatic bacteriuria, nursing homes, Urinary tract infections