Antimicrobial therapy for asymptomatic bacteriuria or candiduria in advanced cancer patients transitioning to comfort measures.

Among 300 advanced cancer patients with potential urinary tract infection (UTI), 19 had symptomatic UTI. Among remaining patients (n = 281), 21% had asymptomatic bacteriuria or candiduria, and 14% received inappropriate therapy for 279 antimicrobial days. Bacteriuria or candiduria predicted antimicrobial therapy. At 10,000 to <100,000 CFU/mL, the incidence rate ratio [IRR] was 16.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.0-47.2), and at ≥100,000 CFU/mL, the IRR was 27.9 (95% CI, 10.9-71.2).