Catheter fever unveiled: homoeopathic perspectives in catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Dr Parvathinandha Rajan

Abstract
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), often referred to as “catheter fever” are among the most common healthcare-associated infections, particularly in hospitalized patients requiring indwelling urinary catheters. The insertion of a urinary catheter bypasses natural defense mechanisms of the urinary tract and facilitates the entry of microorganisms into the bladder. Patients may present with fever, dysuria, suprapubic discomfort, cloudy urine, malaise, and occasionally flank pain if the infection ascends to the kidneys. Prolonged catheterization, advanced age, diabetes mellitus and poor catheter care significantly increase the risk of infection.¹

Conventional management involves removal or replacement of the catheter and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. However, recurrent infections and increasing antibiotic resistance have created interest in complementary approaches to symptom management. Homoeopathy, based on the principle of individualized treatment and the law of similars, offers supportive management by selecting remedies according to the patient’s symptom picture.

This article briefly reviews catheter-associated urinary tract infections and highlights homoeopathic remedies useful in their symptomatic management.

Introduction
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a common hospital-acquired infection that occurs when microorganisms enter the urinary tract through an indwelling catheter.¹ The catheter provides a pathway for bacterial entry and serves as a surface for microbial colonization and biofilm formation.²

The risk of infection increases with the duration of catheterization, and bacteriuria may develop in a significant proportion of patients after prolonged catheter use.³ Clinically, patients may present with fever, suprapubic pain, dysuria, or cloudy urine, often referred to as catheter fever.

Etiology and Clinical Features

Common causative organisms include:

• Escherichia coli
• Klebsiella species
• Proteus species
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa²

Symptoms of catheter-associated urinary tract infection include:

• Fever
• Burning or painful urination
• Suprapubic discomfort
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Malaise and weakness¹

Diagnosis is usually confirmed by urine analysis and urine culture showing bacteriuria and pyuria.³

Homoeopathic Approach
Homoeopathy considers disease as a disturbance of the vital force, and treatment is directed toward restoring balance through individualized remedy selection based on the totality of symptoms.⁴ In catheter-associated urinary infections, remedies are selected based on urinary symptoms, modalities and important characteristic symptoms.

Rubrics From SYNTHESIS REPERTORY for Catheter Fever ⁶

• GENERALS- Catheterism- Ailments From : acon,arn, kali-c,mag phos, nux-v
• FEVER- Catheter fever : acon,camph- acid, petros
• FEVER- Catheter fever- prophylaxis : camph-acid

Homoeopathic Therapeutics For Catheter Fever

1. Camphoric Acidum : A prophylactic against catheter fever.⁶

2. Populus Tremuloides : Good remedy in vesical troubles after operations. Severe tenesmus; painful scalding. Urine contains mucus and pus.⁵

3. Sabal Serrulata : Acts on membrano-prostatic portion of urethra. Difficult urination. “ Homoeopathic Catheter” .⁵

4. Magnesium Phosphoricum : Vesical neuralgia after use of catheter, spasmodic retention, Sensation as if no muscular contraction.⁷

5. Petroselinum : Catheter fever. So much pain when he passes urine as to cause him to shiver and dance round room in agony.⁷

6. Staphysagria : Cystitis in lying-in patients.Ineffectual urging to micturate. Sensation as if a drop of urine were rolling continuously along the channel. Burning in urethra during micturition.⁵

Conclusion
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections remain an important cause of hospital-acquired infections, especially among patients requiring prolonged catheterization. While antimicrobial therapy is the mainstay of treatment, complementary approaches may help relieve symptoms and improve patient comfort.

References

1. Jameson JL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Loscalzo J. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 21st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2022.
2. Hooton TM, Bradley SF, Cardenas DD, et al. Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of catheter-associated urinary tract infection in adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2010;50(5):625-663.
3. Flores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ. Urinary tract infections: epidemiology and mechanisms of infection. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2015;13(5):269-284.
4. Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 6th ed. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers; 2013.
5. Boericke W. Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers; 2010.
6. Schroyens F, editor. Synthesis: Repertorium Homoeopathicum Syntheticum. 9th ed. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers; 2004.
7. Clarke JH. A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers; 1999.

Dr Parvathinandha Rajan
MD Scholar (Department of Medicine)
Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College Mangalore
Guide: Dr Dolphin J Karat
Email : parvathir129@gmail.com