Incidence, risk factors and microbiological aetiology of urinary tract infections in admitted stroke patients at a teaching hospital in Zimbabwe: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The occurrence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) after stroke is a well recognised complication. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of UTIs in stroke patients admitted at a teaching hospital in Zimbabwe. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in stroke patients admitted within 7 days from onset of stroke. Patients were followed up throughout the admission period and those with symptomatic UTI were identified. Urine samples for analysis were collected and causative bacterial organisms were identified with their antibiotic susceptibility patterns analysed. RESULTS: A total of 145 stroke patients were followed up during their in-patient care. 28 patients (19.3%) developed a urinary tract infection, 45 patients (31%) had asymptomatic bacteriuria and 72 patients (49.7%) had no bacteriuria. The median time from admission to UTI occurrence post stroke was 5 (IQR 4–7) days. Severe stroke (NIHSS score 16–42) was an independent risk factor for UTI development with an odds ratio (OR) 5.15 (1.68–15.75) p<0.001.The commonest bacterial causative organisms cultured were Escherichia coli (27.6%) ; Klebsiella species (21.1%) and Enterococcus faecalis (19.7%). Twenty nine percent of the cultured Gram negative bacteria were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. CONCLUSIONS: UTIs are common in admitted stroke patients and a significant percentage of causative organisms are multi-drug resistant. UTI occurrence is more common in patients with severe stroke and is associated with increased hospital stay. These observations highlight the need for robust infection prevention and control strategies to curb this common post-stroke complication.