Urinary Tract Infections in Older People with Long-Term Indwelling Catheters

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) is a relatively common infection, especially among older people with long-term indwelling urethral catheter. The term CA-UTI is used to refer to symptomatic urinary tract infection in individuals with indwelling catheter. 

In general, less than 30 days with an indwelling urinary catheter is considered short term while 30 days or more is deemed as long term or chronic. Older people with chronic indwelling catheters have significantly increased risk of morbidity from CA-UTI compared to those with bacteriuria without long-term catheters. In long-term-care facilities, an estimated 5-10% of residents require chronic indwelling catheters. Indwelling catheters are used more commonly in men than in women living in these facilities, with urinary retention being the most common reason. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Urinary Tract Infections in Older People with Long-Term Indwelling Catheters

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) is a relatively common infection, especially among older people with long-term indwelling urethral catheter. The term CA-UTIis used to refer to symptomatic urinary tract infection in individuals withindwelling catheter. In general, less than 30 days with an indwelling urinary catheter is considered short term while 30 days or more is deemed as long term or chronic. Older people with chronic indwelling catheters have significantly increased risk of morbidity from CA-UTI compared to those with bacteriuria without long-term catheters.

In long-term-care facilities, an estimated 5-10% of residents require chronic indwelling catheters. Indwelling catheters are used more commonly in men than in women living in these facilities, with urinary retention being the most common reason. In a survey of nursing homes, the overall incidence and prevalence of symptomatic CA-UTI were found to be 29% and 2%, respectively. In one study, CA-UTI rate of 3.2 per 1,000 catheter-days (range: 0-7.3) have been reported in people with chronic urinary catheters. CA-UTI is a common source of bacteremia (50%) among long-term care residents. Read more..............

Genetic imbalances of KIR are associated with auto immune regulation

The autoimmune sequel of rheumatic heart disease(RHD) and rheumatic fever(RH) are due to partially treated pharyngitis. Killer cell immunoglobulin like receptors (KIR) of natural killer cell is susceptible to various autoimmune diseases. A study was conducted in 29 patients (pharyngitis, RHD andRF) and one control, to know the association of different KIR genes indevelopment of RHD/RF. The study reported that the frequency of activating KIR2DS4A and inhibitory KIR2DL5B were less in RHD compared to control but higher than pharyngitis.From the study it is clear that genetic imbalance between activating and inhibitory receptors of KIR are associated with autoimmune regulation of RHD/RH.

A significant difference in the frequency of KIR2DS2A and KIR3DL1B were found in pharyngitis compared to control. Interestingly, the overall data revealed a marked decrease of activating genes in pharyngitis and an increase in RHD. However, in the study, the framework genes were comparatively conserved and pseudo genes did not show any significant change. Thus, the study suggests an association of KIR in the pathogenesis of RF/RHD by demonstrating the variations in specific genotypes. This can be correlated to the prolonged activation of NK cells which may be accountable for regulation of adaptive immune response and self-tolerance. Further study in large cohort may unveil more information regarding the role of KIR in the development of the disease. Read more...............