Antimicrobial therapy for asymptomatic bacteriuria or candiduria in advanced cancer patients transitioning to comfort measures

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2019 Apr;40(4):470-472. doi: 10.1017/ice.2019.22. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Abstract

Among 300 advanced cancer patients with potential urinary tract infection (UTI), 19 had symptomatic UTI. Among remaining patients (n = 281), 21% had asymptomatic bacteriuria or candiduria, and 14% received inappropriate therapy for 279 antimicrobial days. Bacteriuria or candiduria predicted antimicrobial therapy. At 10,000 to <100,000 CFU/mL, the incidence rate ratio [IRR] was 16.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.0-47.2), and at ≥100,000 CFU/mL, the IRR was 27.9 (95% CI, 10.9-71.2).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacteriuria / complications
  • Bacteriuria / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis / complications
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy
  • Cohort Studies
  • Connecticut
  • Female
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Inappropriate Prescribing / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Terminal Care
  • Urinary Tract Infections / complications
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents