Which organism is most commonly responsible for UTIs in patients with catheterization?

Escherichia coli, often referred to as E. coli, is the most common organism responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients with catheterization. This is primarily due to its prevalence in the intestinal flora, making it readily available to infect the urinary tract, especially in cases of urinary catheterization. Catheter use can disrupt normal urinary tract defenses and provide a pathway for bacteria to enter the bladder, with E. coli being a common culprit.

The likelihood of E. coli infections increases particularly in patients with catheters where the risk of ascending infections is heightened. Typically, E. coli accounts for around 70-90% of UTIs associated with catheterization, further establishing its role as the leading pathogen in such scenarios.

Other organisms, while they can cause UTIs, are less frequently implicated in catheterized patients compared to E. coli. For instance, Staphylococcus aureus is more associated with skin infections and other systemic issues rather than UTIs, and Enterococcus faecalis and Proteus mirabilis, while they can cause UTIs, are less common than E. coli in this specific context. Thus, identifying E. coli as the most common organism is crucial for understanding the epidemiology of catheter-associated