Comparison of silver alloy coated latex catheters versus standard non-coated latex urinary catheters in terms of development of early catheter associated urinary tract infections.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the use of silver-alloy coated latex catheters and uncoated latex catheters in the prevention of early CAUTI in patients with a short-term catheterization. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: Department of Urology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. Period: 24 April 2025 to 24 Oct 2025. Methods: A randomized assignment was done on 66 adult patients who needed catheterization of at least three days, with 33 patients receiving silver-alloy coated and 33 non-coated catheters. Urine microscopy and culture were performed at baseline and on Day 5. Outcomes included significant pyuria (>10 WBC/HPF), positive urine culture (≥10⁵ CFU/mL), and symptomatic CAUTI. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25, with p ≤ 0.05. Results: By Day 5, the non-coated catheter group showed higher mean pus cell counts (17.8 ± 9.4 vs. 9.6 ± 6.5), more significant pyuria (57.6% vs. 27.3%), and more positive cultures (60.6% vs. 21.2%). Silver-coated catheters were associated with significantly fewer overall CAUTIs (21.2% vs. 60.6%, p=0.001) and lower rates of symptomatic UTI, fever, and dysuria. Age- and gender-based stratification showed consistently lower UTI rates in the silver-coated group. Conclusion: Silver-alloy coated urinary catheters effectively reduced early bacteriuria and CAUTI compared with non-coated catheters in short-term use. Their adoption may strengthen infection prevention strategies in hospitalized patients.