What are common gram-positive bacteria that can cause UTIs in the elderly?

Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium that can indeed cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially in certain populations, including the elderly. In older adults, factors such as the presence of comorbidities, urinary retention, chronic catheter use, or immune system decline can predispose them to infections from organisms typically associated with the skin or other surfaces where S. aureus might reside. Its ability to form biofilms and enter the bloodstream from other infections allows it to occasionally be implicated in UTIs, particularly in those with complex health issues.

While other organisms such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae are more common culprits in urinary tract infections, especially in the general population and in nosocomial settings, they are gram-negative bacteria. Thus, they do not fit the criteria for common gram-positive bacteria causing UTIs in the elderly. This distinguishes Staphylococcus aureus as a significant factor in this context, demonstrating its clinical relevance in UTI cases among older patients.