What are the risk factors for recurrent UTI with repeated ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae? A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: A previous study has shown that two-thirds of patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae experience recurrence with the same bacteria on subsequent UTI episodes. However, little is known about which patients suffer from UTI due to ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae repeatedly. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for recurrent UTI due to repeated ESBL-producing organism infections. METHODS: This retrospective, single-center, observational cohort study screened all patients with UTI caused by ESBL-producing strains between January 2012 and April 2019. Among the patients who were followed up, patients who experienced UTI recurrence were enrolled and divided into two groups: ESBL recurrence group and non-ESBL recurrence group. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between patient characteristics and the development of recurrent UTI caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. RESULTS: A total of 330 patients were followed up after the diagnosis of UTI caused by ESBL-producing organisms. Among the patients, 115 (34.8%) experienced UTI recurrence, and 71 (61.7%) of them experienced subsequent recurrent UTI due to ESBL-producing organisms. Patient's age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.04; P = 0.046) and recurrent UTI history (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.05-2.72; P = 0.031) were significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. CONCLUSION: These findings showed that a history of previous frequent UTI recurrence is the risk factor for recurrence of UTI due to repeated ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae infections.