Urine from continent caecal reservoirs. Studies on chemical composition and bacterial growth.
The composition of urine from 11 patients with continent caecal reservoir was examined with regard to promotors and inhibitors of bacterial growth, and was compared with that of urine from individuals (controls) with intact urinary tracts. Reservoir urine was found to have a higher and less variable pH than control urine. The concentration of urea was lower in reservoir urine, probably due to the larger 24-hour urinary output, while the concentration of albumin was higher. Although these findings could suggest reservoir urine to be a more favourable medium for bacterial growth than normal urine, such a difference was not found in growth studies of common urinary pathogens. The increased prevalence of urinary tract infection in patients with caecal reservoir may be due to contamination on catheterization, residual urine and defective function of the reservoir outlet rather than differing qualities of the urine.