Characteristics of Bacterial Colonization and Urinary Tract Infection after Double-J Ureteral Stent Indwelling

Paick, Sung Hyun; Park, Hyoung Keun; Oh, Seung June; Kim, Hyeon Hoe; Kim, Shi Whang

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to determine the exact characteristics of bacterial colonization after a ureteral stent indwelling. MATERIALS AND MTHODS: The natural history of bacterial colonization on the stent itself and urine samples after different periods of stent indwelling was examined. A total of 57 double-J stents from 52 patients (21 male; 31 female) with mean age of 52 (range 20-79) years were examined. In all patients, short-term (for 2-3 days) antimicrobial therapy was done at the time of stenting. Regular urinalysis and urine culture were performed until the stent was removed. The stents were removed under aseptic conditions and the proximal and distal tip segments were obtained. Three culture specimens were acquired from each stent segments (inner surface washing suspension, outer surface washing suspension and the stent tip itself).
RESULTS
Bacterial colonies were found in 44% (25/57). Multiple pathogens were identified, and Enterococcus species (6/25) was the most common pathogen followed by E. coli (5/25). The bacteria did not colonize within the first 2 weeks of indwelling. However, the colonization rate increased, as the duration of the indwelling was further increased. Colonization in the stent was followed by the colonization in the urine.
CONCLUSIONS
Bacterial colonization does not occur during the initial 2 weeks after stent indwelling. This suggests that antibiotics for short-term indwelling of ureteral stents are not necessary.