Urosepsis 30-day mortality, morbidity, and their risk factors: SERPENS study, a prospective, observational multi-center study.

PURPOSE: To provide a descriptive report of mortality and morbidity in the first 30 days of diagnosis of urosepsis. Secondary aim is to identify risk factors of unfavourable outcomes. METHODS: Prospective observational multicentre cohort study conducted from September 2014 to November 2018 in European hospitals. Adult patients (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with acute urosepsis according to Sepsis-2 criteria with confirmed microbiological infection were included. Outcomes were classified in one of four health states: death, multiple organ failure, single organ failure, and recovery at day 30 from onset of urosepsis. Descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty four patients were recruited, and 30-day mortality rate was 2.8%, rising to 4.6% for severe sepsis. All patients who died had a SOFA score of ≥ 2 at diagnosis. Upon initial diagnosis, 79% (n = 281) of patients presented with OF. Within 30 days, an additional 5% developed OF, resulting in a total of 84% affected. Charlson score (OR 1.14 CI 1.01-1.28), patients with respiratory failure at baseline (OR 2.35, CI 1.32-4.21), ICU admission within the past 12 months (OR 2.05, CI 1.00-4.19), obstruction causative of urosepsis (OR 1.76, CI 1.02-3.05), urosepsis with multi-drug-resistant(MDR) pathogens (OR 2.01, CI 1.15-3.53), and SOFA baseline score ≥ 2 (OR 2.74, CI 1.49-5.07) are significantly associated with day 30 outcomes (OF and death). CONCLUSIONS: Impact of comorbidities and MDR pathogens on outcomes highlights the existence of a distinct group of patients who are prone to mortality and morbidity. These findings underscore the need for the development of pragmatic classifications to better assess the severity of UTIs and guide management strategies. STUDY REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT02380170.

Linguistic and clinical validation of the Turkish version of Acute Cystitis Symptom Score for the diagnosis and patient-reported outcome in acute uncomplicated cystitis.

PURPOSE: The Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) was developed as a self-reporting questionnaire for diagnosing and monitoring acute uncomplicated cystitis (AC) in female patients. The study aims at the translation of the ACSS into Turkish from the original Uzbek including its linguistic, cognitive and clinical validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After forward and backward translation of the ACSS from Uzbek to Turkish and vice versa, the cognitive assessment of the Turkish ACSS was performed on 12 female subjects to achieve the final study version. RESULTS: The clinical validation was performed on a total of 120 female respondents including 64 Patients with AC and 56 controls without AC. For clinical diagnosis of AC, the predefined summary score of the typical symptoms of >6 showed high values (95% confidence interval) for sensitivity (0.88 [0.77-0.94]), specificity (0.98 [0.91-1.00]), and diagnostic accuracy (0.93 [0.86-0.97]). All patients were followed up between five to nine days after the baseline visit. Forty-four (68.75%) patients used antimicrobial treatment, whereas the rest (31.25%) preferred non-antimicrobial treatment. The severity scores of the typical symptoms and the quality of life were reduced significantly at follow-up. Using different (favored) thresholds for successful and non-successful treatment a clinical success rate between 54.7% and 64.1% (60.9%) was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: After translation from the original Uzbek and cognitive assessment, the Turkish ACSS showed similar good results for clinical diagnosis and patient-reported outcome as in other languages validated so far and could therefore now be used for clinical studies as well as in everyday practice.

Condition-specific surveillance in health care-associated urinary tract infections as a strategy to improve empirical antibiotic treatment: an epidemiological modelling study.

BACKGROUND: Health care-associated urinary tract infection (HAUTI) consists of unique conditions (cystitis, pyelonephritis and urosepsis). These conditions could have different pathogen diversity and antibiotic resistance impacting on the empirical antibiotic choices. The aim of this study is to compare the estimated chances of coverage of empirical antibiotics between conditions (cystitis, pyelonephritis and urosepsis) in urology departments from Europe. METHODS: A mathematical modelling based on antibiotic susceptibility data from a point prevalence study was carried. Data were obtained for HAUTI patients from multiple urology departments in Europe from 2006 to 2017. The primary outcome of the study is the Bayesian weighted incidence syndromic antibiogram (WISCA) and Bayesian factor. Bayesian WISCA is the estimated chance of an antibiotic to cover the causative pathogens when used for first-line empirical treatment. Bayesian factor is used to compare if HAUTI conditions did or did not impact on empirical antibiotic choices. RESULTS: Bayesian WISCA of antibiotics in European urology departments from 2006 to 2017 ranged between 0.07 (cystitis, 2006, Amoxicillin) to 0.89 (pyelonephritis, 2009, Imipenem). Bayesian WISCA estimates were lowest in urosepsis. Clinical infective conditions had an impact on the Bayesian WISCA estimates (Bayesian factor > 3 in 81% of studied antibiotics). The main limitation of the study is the lack of local data. CONCLUSIONS: Our estimates illustrate that antibiotic choices can be different between HAUTI conditions. Findings can improve empirical antibiotic selection towards a personalized approach but should be validated in local surveillance studies.

Antibiotic resistance, hospitalizations, and mortality related to prostate biopsy: first report from the Norwegian Patient Registry.

BACKGROUND: A 68-year-old man died of cerebral arterial embolism 6 days after transrectal prostate biopsy with a single p.o. dose of trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) as prophylaxis. The case precipitated analysis of local antibiotic resistance and complication rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on E. coli resistance from Oslo University Hospital and national data on hospitalizations and mortality after biopsy were retrieved from local microbiology files and the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR) 2011-2017. RESULTS: Urine E. coli resistance against TMP-SMX increased from 35% in 2013 to more than 60% in 2015. For ciprofloxacin, the resistance increased from 15% in 2013 to about 45% in 2016. The highest annual E. coli resistance in blood cultures for TMP-SMX and ciprofloxacin was 37% and 28%, respectively. 10% of patients were hospitalized with a diagnosis of infection within the first 60 days after biopsy and there was a relative increase in mortality rate of 261% within the first 30 days. Due to the severity of the figures, the story and the NPR data were published in Norway's leading newspaper and were succeeded by a series of chronicles and commentaries. CONCLUSIONS: Several critical points of the biopsy procedure were not performed according to current standards. We believe that the patient might have died of septic embolism after biopsy. As a result of the findings and the debate, local practice was changed from transrectal to transperineal prostate biopsies.

Comparison of prostate cancer detection rates between the Vienna nomogram and the 10-core biopsy protocol.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the Vienna nomogram and the 10-core prostate biopsy protocol regarding whether there is superiority in prostate cancer detection. METHODS: Between January and December 2012, a total of 215 patients applying to our outpatient clinic with lower urinary tract symptoms were evaluated, prospectively. Patients with a prostate-specific antigen level of 2.5-10 ng/mL and/or suspicious digital rectal examination were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were determined as recent pelvic radiotherapy, lower urinary tract surgery, history of acute urinary retention, or indwelling urinary catheter. Biopsies were taken systematically with at least 10 cores considering prostate volume and patient age. According to Vienna nomogram, in patients requiring 6- or 8-core biopsies, tissue sampling was completed to 10 cores (our standard protocol), whereas in patients requiring more than 10 cores additional tissue sampling was performed. RESULTS: After the determination of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 170 patients were enrolled in our study. The median (min-max) age, prostate-specific antigen value, and prostate volume were 65 (48-86) years, 7.6 ng/dL (2.5-10), and 55 cc (17-150), respectively. Prostate cancer was detected in 49 (28.8%) patients with transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy according to the Vienna nomogram. We found that our standard 10-core biopsy protocol would have diagnosed prostate cancer in 46 (27.1%) patients in the same study group showing no statistically significant difference (p > 0.005). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that considering cancer detection rates no statistically significant differences were found between both methods. Further prospective research in this aspect is needed to define the ultimate prostate biopsy protocol.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: are We Following the Guidelines? - Outcomes from the Global Prevalence of Infections in Urology (GPIU) Study.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is one of the most common urological procedures. With the increasing rate of multiresistant infections including urosepsis, it is essential for all surgeons to adhere to the relevant international guidelines to prevent infectious complications. The aim of this prospective, multinational, multicentre study was to evaluate compliance with recommended infection control measures regarding TURP procedures. The study was performed as a side questionnaire to the annual Global Prevalence Study of Infections in Urology (GPIU) between 2006 and 2009. Patients that had undergone TURP were eligible. Baseline data about hospitals and patients were collected. The questionnaire contained questions regarding preoperative microbiological investigations, catheter care and performance of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. A total of 825 men were included from 138 participating centres from Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Only 50.1% of the patients received perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis with a median duration of 3 days (interquartile range [IQR] = 1-7 days). Preoperative urine culture was taken in 59.2%. The catheter was replaced in 1 week prior to the surgery only in 38.3% of cases. Compliance with the recommended infection control measures regarding TURP were only moderate, despite high grade recommendations in relevant international Guidelines. Stronger guideline adherence is necessary to improve patient care decrease antibiotic consumption in line with antibiotic stewardship in surgical practices.

Aspects of urinary tract infections and antimicrobial resistance in hospitalized urology patients in Asia: 10-Year results of the Global Prevalence Study of Infections in Urology (GPIU).

OBJECTIVES: To assess Asian data from Global Prevalence Study on Infections in Urology (GPIU study) which has been performed more than 10 years. METHODS: Seventeen Asian countries participated in the GPIU study between 2004 and 2013. Data for these countries were collected from the web-based GPIU database. The point prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI) and antimicrobial susceptibility of representative pathogens were analysed for Asian geographic regions. RESULTS: A total of 6706 patients (5271 male, 1435 female) were assessed during the study period, and 659 patients were diagnosed with a UTI (9.8%). Of these UTI patients, 436 were male and 223 were female. Mean patient age was 54.9 ± 19.3 years. Pyelonephritis and cystitis were the most common clinical diagnoses, representing 30.7% and 29.9% of patients, respectively. Escherichia coli was the most frequently identified uropathogen (38.7%). For the patients with urinary tract infection, cephalosporins were the most frequently used antibiotics (34.4%), followed by fluoroquinolones (24.1%), aminoglycosides (16.8%). Fluoroquinolone resistance was relatively high (ciprofloxacin 54.9%, levofloxacin 39.0%), and cephalosporin resistance 42% (42.5-49.4%). Of the antibiotics evaluated, uropathogens had maintained the highest level of susceptibility to amikacin and imipenem (24.9% and 11.3% resistance rates, respectively). CONCLUSION: Uropathogens in many Asian countries had high resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Knowledge of regional and local resistance data and prudent use of antibiotics are important for proper management of UTI in Asian countries.

The Global Prevalence of Infections in Urology Study: A Long-Term, Worldwide Surveillance Study on Urological Infections.

The Global Prevalence of Infections in Urology (GPIU) study is a worldwide-performed point prevalence study intended to create surveillance data on antibiotic resistance, type of urogenital infections, risk factors and data on antibiotic consumption, specifically in patients at urological departments with healthcare-associated urogenital infections (HAUTI). Investigators registered data through a web-based application (http://gpiu.esiu.org/). Data collection includes the practice and characteristics of the hospital and urology ward. On a certain day in November, each year, all urological patients present in the urological department at 8:00 a.m. are screened for HAUTI encompassing their full hospital course from admission to discharge. Apart from the GPIU main study, several side studies are taking place, dealing with transurethral resection of the prostate, prostate biopsy, as well as urosepsis. The GPIU study has been annually performed since 2003. Eight-hundred fifty-six urology units from 70 countries have participated so far, including 27,542 patients. A proxy for antibiotic consumption is reflected by the application rates used for antibiotic prophylaxis for urological interventions. Resistance rates of most uropathogens against antibiotics were high, especially with a note of multidrug resistance. The severity of HAUTI is also increasing, 25% being urosepsis in recent years.

Antimicrobial resistance in urosepsis: outcomes from the multinational, multicenter global prevalence of infections in urology (GPIU) study 2003-2013.

OBJECTIVE: Primary objective was to identify the (1) relationship of clinical severity of urosepsis with the pathogen spectrum and resistance and (2) appropriateness of using the pathogen spectrum and resistance rates of health-care-associated urinary tract infections (HAUTI) as representative of urosepsis. The secondary objective was to provide an overview of the pathogens and their resistance profile in patients with urosepsis. POPULATION AND METHODS: A point prevalence study carried out in 70 countries (2003-2013). Population studied included; 408 individuals with microbiologically proven urosepsis, 1606 individuals with microbiological proof of HAUTI and 27,542 individuals hospitalised in urology wards. Main outcomes are pathogens and resistance identified in HAUTIs and urosepsis including its clinical severity. A statistical model that included demographic factors (study year, geographical location, hospital setting) was used for analysis. RESULTS: Amongst urology practices, the prevalence of microbiologically proven HAUTI and urosepsis was 5.8 and 1.5 %, respectively. Frequent pathogens in urosepsis were E. coli (43 %), Enterococcus spp. (11 %), P. aeruginosa (10 %) and Klebsiella spp. (10 %). Resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics was high and rates ranged from 8 % (imipenem) to 62 % (aminopenicillin/ß lactamase inhibitors); 45 % of Enterobacteriaceae and 21 % of P. aeruginosa were multidrug-resistant. Resistance rates in urosepsis were higher than in other clinical diagnosis of HAUTI (Likelihood ratio <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is not appropriate to use the pathogen spectrum and resistance rates of other HAUTIs as representative of urosepsis to decide on empirical treatment of urosepsis. Resistance rates in urosepsis are high, and precautions should be made to avoid further increase.

The Global Prevalence of Infections in Urology (GPUI) Study: A Worldwide Surveillance Study in Urology Patients.

The GPIU study is currently the only study registering health care-associated urogenital tract infections, especially in urology patients, in an ongoing surveillance protocol that can help to deliver data on adequate empirical antibiotic therapy in hospitalised urology patients according to guideline recommendations. The annual GPIU study will continue to be performed in November of each year under the URL http://gpiu.esiu.org/.

Outcomes of fecal carriage of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase after transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (PE) fecal carriage in patients that undergo transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy (TRUSbx) and its relationship with post-biopsy infections. METHODS: A prospective clinical study in 4 different tertiary hospitals between 2008 and 2010 was conducted. Four hundred men with sterile urine who were to undergo a TRUSbx because of the suspicion of prostate cancer were included and followed for 14 days after biopsy. Rectal swab culture specimens were acquired immediately before the procedure. Demographic data, prophylaxis choice, quinolone or any other antibiotic consumption within the past 2 months, history of prostatitis, repeat biopsy, intensive care unit admission, hospitalization, urethral catheterization, diabetes mellitus (DM), and steroid usage were recorded. RESULTS: ESBL carriage was detected in 19% of patients and quinolone use within the last 2 months; other antibiotic use within the last 2 months and DM were found to be significantly associated (P <.05). Symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) on the third day after biopsy was seen in 9% of patients and was associated with fluoroquinolone (FQ) consumption before biopsy. Although ESBL-PE carriage was associated with post-biopsy UTI symptoms, it was not found to be associated with post-biopsy symptomatic UTI. Urosepsis was seen in 2 patients (0.5%) after biopsy, and both the patients were ESBL-PE carriers. CONCLUSION: The presence of ESBL-PE was associated with DM and FQ consumption before biopsy. ESBL-PE carriage was associated with a high rate of post-biopsy UTI symptoms requiring further elucidation; however, it was not associated with microbiologically proven infections. FQ consumption before TRUSbx was also associated with post-biopsy infections.

The effect of smoking on spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones.

BACKGROUND: Animal studies have shown that nicotine affects the peristalsis of the ureter. The aim of the study is to analyze the effect of smoking on spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones. METHODS: 88 patients in whom distal ureteral stone below 10 mm diameter diagnosed with helical computerized tomography enhanced images were reviewed. Patients were grouped as either smokers (n:33) or non smokers (n:50). Follow-up for spontaneous passage of stones was limited with 4 weeks. Patients did not receive any additional medical treatment other than non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs only during painful renal colic episodes.Two groups were compared with the chi-square test in terms of passing the stone or not. Stone passage was confirmed with either the patient collecting the stone during urination or by helical CT. RESULTS: Smoking habits was present in 30(34%) patients and the frequency in both groups were similar (smokers: 23(76%) vs non-smokers: 46(79%)). Spontaneous passage of the stone was observed in 69(78%) patients. The two groups were comparable in terms of patient age, male to female ratio and stone size. Stone passage decreased as stone diameter increased. Total stone passage rates were similar in both groups (smokers: 76% vs. non-smokers: 79%) (p > 0.05). Passage of stones > 4 mm was observed in 46% and 67% of smokers and non-smokers respectively. However passage of stones with a diameter ≤ 4 mm were similar in both groups (smokers: 100% vs non-smokers: 92%) (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Smoking has neither a favorable nor un-favorable effect on spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones. However, spontaneous passage rates in patients with a stone diameter > 4 mm was lower in smokers. These results should be further confirmed with studies including larger numbers of patients.

Healthcare-associated urinary tract infections in hospitalized urological patients--a global perspective: results from the GPIU studies 2003-2010.

INTRODUCTION: European Section for Infections in Urology has been conducting an annual prevalence survey investigating various aspects of healthcare-associated urinary tract infections (HAUTI) since 2003. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data on various clinical categories of HAUTI, the contamination status of HAUTI patients who underwent any urological intervention with regard to microorganisms isolated, resistance status and antibiotics used to treat HAUTI will be presented. RESULTS: Of a total of 19,756 patients screened, 1,866 patients had HAUTI (9.4 %); 1,313 males (70.4 %) and 553 (29.6 %) females. Mean age was 59.9 ± 18.2. Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and cystitis were the most frequent clinical diagnoses representing 27.0 and 26 % of all HAUTI, respectively. Echerichia coli was found to be the most frequent uropathogen (544 of 1,371 isolates) (39.7 %). Fluoroquinolones were preferred in 26.6 % of cases followed by cephalosporins (23.3 %), aminoglycosides (14.1 %) and penicillins (13.8 %). High global resistance rates to ciprofloxacin (>50 %), cephalosporins (35-50 %) and penicillins (50 %) were found in the GPIU studies 2003-2010. DISCUSSION: We showed that around 10 % of hospitalized urological patients are at risk to develop HAUTI often caused by multiresistant uropathogens. Increased antibiotic use often with broad-spectrum antimicrobials will inevitably be followed by increasing bacterial resistance. To interrupt such a vicious cycle, our results suggest (1) there is still room for improvement in surgical prophylaxis in terms of limiting exposure to antibiotics and (2) far too many patients with ASB are being treated which shows that the new proposal of classification should be adopted where ABS is regarded as colonization and not as an infection to be treated.

Resistance patterns of nosocomial urinary tract infections in urology departments: 8-year results of the global prevalence of infections in urology study.

OBJECTIVE: To present the worldwide antibiotic resistance rates of uropathogens reported in nosocomial urinary tract infections (NAUTI) during the period of 2003-2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from the Global Prevalence Study of Infections in Urology from the period of 2003-2010 were analyzed to evaluate the resistance rates of pathogens causing NAUTI. The web-based application was used to record data of investigators from urology departments participating in the study every year during the days allocated in November. Each center was allowed to enter data on a single day of the study. The point prevalence data was used to find differences among geographic regions and years by utilizing multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 19,756 patients were hospitalized during the study period, and in 1,866 of them, NAUTI was reported. Proof of infection was reported in 1,395 patients. Resistance rates of all antibiotics tested other than imipenem against the total bacterial spectrum were higher than 10 % in all regions. Resistance to almost all pathogens was lowest in North Europe, and there is no single year where an outbreak of resistance has been detected. CONCLUSION: The resistance rates of most of the uropathogens against the antibiotics tested did not show significant trends of increase or decrease with Asia exhibiting the highest rates in general. The only antibiotic tested with an overall resistance rate below 10 % was imipenem. Knowledge of regional and local resistance data and prudent use of antibiotics are necessary to optimize antibiotic therapy in urological patients with NAUTI.

Antibiotic stewardship: a call for action by the urologic community.

Increasing antibiotic resistance and lack of new antibiotics in the near future calls for a variety of coordinated strategies called "Antibiotic stewardship", to improve antibiotic use with the goal of enhancing patient health outcomes and reducing emergence of resistance to antibiotics.

Infective complications after prostate biopsy: outcome of the Global Prevalence Study of Infections in Urology (GPIU) 2010 and 2011, a prospective multinational multicentre prostate biopsy study.

BACKGROUND: Infection is a serious adverse effect of prostate biopsy (P-Bx), and recent reports suggest an increasing incidence. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this multinational multicentre study was to evaluate prospectively the incidence of infective complications after P-Bx and identify risk factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The study was performed as an adjunct to the Global Prevalence Study of Infections in Urology (GPIU) during 2010 and 2011. Men undergoing P-Bx in participating centres during the 2-wk period commencing on the GPIU study census day were eligible. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Baseline data were collected and men were questioned regarding infective complications at 2 wk following their biopsy. The Fisher exact test, Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariate regression analysis were used for data analysis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 702 men from 84 GPIU participating centres worldwide were included. Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered prior to biopsy in 98.2% of men predominantly using a fluoroquinolone (92.5%). Outcome data were available for 521 men (74%). Symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) was seen in 27 men (5.2%), which was febrile in 18 (3.5%) and required hospitalisation in 16 (3.1%). Multivariate analysis did not identify any patient subgroups at a significantly higher risk of infection after P-Bx. Causative organisms were isolated in 10 cases (37%) with 6 resistant to fluoroquinolones. The small sample size per participating site and in compared with other studies may have limited the conclusions from our study. CONCLUSIONS: Infective complications after transrectal P-Bx are important because of the associated patient morbidity. Despite antibiotic prophylaxis, 5% of men will experience an infective complication, but none of the possible factors we examined appeared to increase this risk. Our study confirms a high incidence of fluoroquinolone resistance in causative bacteria.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in urology departments, 2005-2010.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) is an important measure in preventing health care-associated urinary tract infections (HAUTIs). Despite regional variations in the bacterial spectrum and antibiotic susceptibility patterns, guideline recommendations are usually given on an international level. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of AP in urology departments and relate this to relevant parameters such as country, type of hospital, and European Association of Urology guideline recommendations. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Data from the Global Prevalence Study on Infections in Urology for the period 2005-2010 were analysed to evaluate the use of antibiotics in general and AP for urologic procedures. Of the 13 723 patients enrolled, 8178 received antibiotics on the study days. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Study data were imported from the Web-based survey into Microsoft Access and exported into SPSS v.17.0. The data were then coded and analysed. The Pearson chi-Square test was used to compare categorical data and a probability level of 5% was considered significant. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to define significantly different variables in multiple set categories. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Questions on AP were answered on 8370 forms and 6306 (75.3%) investigators reported their routine application of AP. Routine AP was highest in Latin America (n=337; 84%), followed by Asia (n=1338; 86%), Africa (n=234; 85%), and Europe (n=4116; 67%). The antibiotics most frequently used for AP were second-generation cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, and amoxicillin plus beta-lactamase inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences between countries/regions and types of hospitals, both in using AP for clean procedures and in the types of antibiotics used. AP was not always consistent with recommended guidelines.

Update on biofilm infections in the urinary tract.

PURPOSE: Biofilm infections have a major role in implants or devices placed in the human body. As part of the endourological development, a great variety of foreign bodies have been designed, and with the increasing number of biomaterial devices used in urology, biofilm formation and device infection is an issue of growing importance. METHODS: A literature search was performed in the Medline database regarding biofilm formation and the role of biofilms in urogenital infections using the following items in different combinations: "biofilm," "urinary tract infection," "bacteriuria," "catheter," "stent," and "encrustation." The studies were graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine classification. RESULTS: The authors present an update on the mechanism of biofilm formation in the urinary tract with special emphasis on the role of biofilms in lower and upper urinary tract infections, as well as on biofilm formation on foreign bodies, such as catheters, ureteral stents, stones, implants, and artificial urinary sphincters. The authors also summarize the different methods developed to prevent biofilm formation on urinary foreign bodies. CONCLUSIONS: Several different approaches are being investigated for preventing biofilm formation, and some promising results have been obtained. However, an ideal method has not been developed. Future researches have to aim at identifying effective mechanisms for controlling biofilm formation and to develop antimicrobial agents effective against bacteria in biofilms.