Prevalence of bacterial urinary tract infections in elderly living in retirement homes in Brazil

Abstract Background Urinary tract infections are common in humans. Urinalysis is the most widely used test for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in Brazil. This study aimed to identify bacteria that cause urinary tract infection (UTI) in elderly patients permanently living in three retirement homes in the city of Lages, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Methods The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of University (protocol number 2.922.891). The participants were 93 elderly people, aged between 51 and 94 years. Urine samples were subjected to physical-chemical tests and to direct analysis of cell and bacterial micromorphology. Gram staining was performed on urine sediment. Positive samples were submitted to urine culture using cystine-lactose-electrolyte-deficient agar and MacConkey culture media. Bacterial colonies were identified by Gram-positive bacteria, biochemical tests and for Gram-negative bacteria, biochemical tests of oxidase and Rugai with Lysine (NewProv®). The χ2 test with the FREQ procedure of the SAS 9.2 statistical package was used, adopting p ≤ 0.05 as the level of significance, with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The prevalence of bacterial infection was 36.55% with rates of 46.93% in women and 25% in men. There was no positive correlation between urinary tract infections in relation to sex, age group, pH and diaper use (p > 0.05). E. coli appeared in the urine of 20.43% of the elderly, S. aureus in 8,16%; S. saprophyticus in 9,09%, 5,37% with Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Conclusions Collaborative and integrated actions are needed to facilitate the recognition and clinical management of UTI in elderly patients, which are responsibility of Federal Government social programs in partnership with states and municipalities. Key messages Elderly patients need regular monitoring. Elderly people in nursing homes need to be served by government programs.