BACKGROUND
The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTIs), identify the most frequently isolated pathogens associated with UTIs, and evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of these pathogens in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients.
MATERIAL and METHODS
A total of 91 patient charts were retrospectively evaluated in this study. The demographic data of these patients, length of hospital stay, SCI data, mode of bladder emptying, number of UTI episodes, microorganisms isolated by urine culture, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were recorded.
RESULTS
Of the 91 SCI patients, 53 were males and 38 were females, with a mean age of 45.29 (±17.87) years. A total of 47 UTI episodes were recorded in 38 SCI patients, nine of whom had experienced two episodes. The prevalence of UTI was 41.7% (38/91). The most frequently isolated pathogen was Escherichia coli (57.4%). The antimicrobial agents were most frequently susceptible were gentamicin (72.3%), piperacillin/ tazobactam (57.4%), and meropenem (48.9%).
CONCLUSION
The UTI prevalence in patients with SCI was considerably high. E. coli was the most common uropathogen, and gentamicin was the most frequently used antimicrobial agent.
Keywords: Spinal cord injury, urinary tract infection, epidemiology