Urinary tract infections in patients with malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system

Abstract

Aim

To diagnose the etiological factors involved in urinary tract infections (UTI) and to examine antibiotic sensitivities in bacteria – causative agents of UTI in female patients with genitourinary malignancies.

Materials/Methods

Nineteen patients aged between 35 and 75 years treated for genitourinary malignancies and with a diagnosis of UTI were examined. The majority of these patients (17) were treated with X rays to the pelvic region (tele – and brachytherapy). Six patients were treated for endometrial carcinoma. One patient was treated for ovarian cancer, and one for vaginal cancer. Significant bacteriuria was defined as 10⁴ or more CFUs/ml in quantitative urine examination. Microorganisms were identified according to standard bacteriological methods using bio-Merieux tests. The isolated bacteria were tested for antibiotic sensitivity using the ATB Expression system.

Results

E. coli was the most frequently observed causative factor in cases of UTI. E. faecalis strains were the next most commonly observed species. One of 11 isolated E. coli strains was resistant to 5 antibiotics, a second was resistant to 3 antibiotics and three strains were resistant to 2 antibiotics. E. coli strains were classified into 9, and E. faecalis into 4, sensitivity patterns. UTI was diagnosed in four patients with stage I B, in four with stage III B and in one patient with stage IV cervical cancer.

Conclusions

E. coli and E. faecalis were the most frequently isolated species from the urine of female patients with genitourinary malignancies. These bacteria are among the main causative agents of UTI. The results of these investigations may be used for epidemiological purposes: to find the causes and sources of nosocomial infections and in the prophylaxis of these infections.