E. Coli for Prevention of Catheter UTI in SCI Patients

Evaluate urinary catheters that have been pre-inoculated with E. coli 83972 in a prospective clinical trial in SCI patients who require indwelling catheters for bladder drainage: 1. Evaluate in vivo the safety of urinary catheters that have been pre-inoculated with E. coli 83972. 2. Determine whether insertion of such catheters in human subjects can persistently colonize the neurogenic bladder with E. coli 83972. We will define persistent colonization as the presence of E. coli 83972 in the urine for 28 days or longer, as persons with indwelling catheters typically receive a new catheter every 28 days. 3. Evaluate the biofilm present on these urinary catheters after 28 days in the bladder by using both sonication cultures and confocal microscopy. All patients will have a complete history and physical examination, serum creatinine, plain X-ray of the abdomen, and urine culture immediately prior to entry into the study. Renal ultrasound and urodynamic evaluation of the urinary tract will also be obtained upon study entry unless they have been performed during the preceding year.