2023 Volume 4 Issue 4 Pages 128-132
Background: Infected urachal anomalies are rare, and there have been few reports on their causative bacteria. This study aimed to understand the clinical features and determine the bacteriological profile of patients with infected urachal anomalies at our hospital.
Methods: This retrospective study included 55 patients with infected urachal anomalies managed at Saku Central Hospital Advanced Care Center in Japan for 10 years. We reviewed hospital records and collected information about diagnoses, age, sex, symptoms, type classification, treatments, pathological specimens, and bacteriological examinations.
Results: The mean patient age was 29 years (range: 0–93 years), with 37 males and 18 females. The most common symptoms were umbilical pain or discharge (76%), followed by abdominal pain (18%) and urinary symptoms (5%). The most common anatomical classification of the urachus was external sinus in 46 patients (84%). Surgery was performed in 42 patients (76%), and 13 (24%) were treated conservatively. Bacteriological examinations were performed in 46 patients. Bacterial growth was observed in 44 samples (96%), and 97 microorganisms were isolated. Bacteriological examinations revealed mixed infections caused by anaerobic bacteria. Among the isolated bacteria, the most commonly cultured were Prevotella spp. (9%), followed by Bacteroides spp. (8%), Staphylococcus spp. (6%), Streptococcus spp. (6%), and Corynebacterium spp. (6%).
Conclusions: This is the first study to report the bacteriological profiles of patients with infected urachal anomalies. When patients present with an infected urachal anomaly, the initial management should include broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy targeting anaerobes, and anaerobic culture during bacteriological examination is essential.
