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In-vitro activity of nitrofurantoin in enterococcus urinary tract infection

T Butt1, M J Leghari, A Mahmood

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi.

JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
|November 3, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Nitrofurantoin shows high in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility against Enterococcus species, a common cause of urinary tract infections. This makes nitrofurantoin a viable treatment option for enterococcal UTIs.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Enterococci are a significant cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • Antimicrobial resistance in enterococci necessitates evaluating effective treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of nitrofurantoin against other commonly used antimicrobials for treating enterococcal UTIs.

Main Methods:

  • 144 enterococcal isolates (Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium) were tested.
  • Standard disc diffusion method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
  • Nitrofurantoin, doxycycline, co-trimoxazole, ampicillin, imipenem, and vancomycin were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Nitrofurantoin demonstrated high susceptibility (88%) against enterococcal isolates.
  • While vancomycin (99%) and imipenem (91%) showed higher susceptibility, nitrofurantoin was effective against strains resistant to other antibiotics.
  • Susceptibility to ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, and doxycycline was lower (72%, 13%, 11% respectively).

Conclusions:

  • Nitrofurantoin is an effective antimicrobial agent in vitro for treating Enterococcus UTIs.
  • Its efficacy, particularly against resistant strains, supports its use in clinical practice.

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