Bacterial species distribution on the genital skin of hospitalized patients with stroke manifesting incontinence‐associated dermatitis: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

AimTo compare the isolated and identified bacterial species colonizing on the genital skin between patients with and without incontinence‐associated dermatitis.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 102 patients with stroke admitted to an acute hospital in Japan. Swabs were collected, and bacterial species found in swabs were isolated and identified using a selective agar medium and simple identification kits. In addition to demographic information, severity of incontinence‐associated dermatitis and the total bacterial counts were measured.ResultsIncontinence‐associated dermatitis was present in 53.9% of the participants. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 50% of the participants with incontinence‐associated dermatitis and only 17.9% of those without incontinence‐associated dermatitis (P = 0.0029). Bacterial species distribution by erythema and skin erosion, which denote severity of incontinence‐associated dermatitis, was different, but not significant; additionally, the total number of bacterial colonies was equivalent.ConclusionsBacterial species distribution differed between patients with and without incontinence‐associated dermatitis, whereas the total number of bacterial colonies was equivalent. A high detection rate of S. aureus on genital skin sites potentially affects the presence of incontinence‐associated dermatitis and its severity. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 537–542.