Changes observed in urine microbiology following replacement of long-term urinary catheters: need to modify UTI guidelines in the UK?

Aims: Bacteria adherent to long-term urinary catheters (LTUC) may give misleading urine culture results. Guidelines in the USA recommend changing LTUC before urine collection to diagnose UTI and before commencing appropriate antimicrobial treatment. However, in the UK there is no such guidance.