Asymptomatic bacteriuria in the elderly
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Microbiology of asymptomatic bacteriuria in elderly patients
IRAS ID
225014
Contact name
Beryl A Oppenheim
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
Asymptomatic bacteriuria(ASB) ie bacteria in the urine in the absence of clear symptoms of infection, is known to be widespread in elderly people, especially those in healthcare institutions.Although national and international guidance is clear that ASB should not be screened for or treated, we know that these practices are almost universal in healthcare and account for a large proportion of antibiotic misuse in this patient group.Our own work and that of others has shown that this practice is likely to continue until improved diagnostic methods have been developed to distinguish true urinary tract infection from ASB because detection of the clinical signs and symptoms of infection can be extremely difficult in frail, elderly patients and there is a general view that these signs can be extremely subtle.Much of the work into the microbiology of urinary tract infections was carried out more than 50 years ago, and has been a neglected area of research.Current diagnostics do not take into account the availability of a wide range of host biomarkers for infection, molecular methods to detect virulence factors, or an understanding of the interactions between the microbes in the gut (gut microbiome) and urinary bacteria, and how antibiotic treatment may affect these.As part of our preparation to approach funding organisations to undertake research into novel diagnostics for urinary tract infections, we wish to undertake a novel proof of concept study, looking in detail at sequential urine and stool samples from elderly inpatients in a community hospital setting together with detailed analysis of data regarding clinical status,results of diagnostic tests, and medication including antimicrobials.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
17/WA/0205
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion