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Increasing ciprofloxacin resistance among prevalent urinary tract bacterial isolates in the Gaza Strip

Z E Astal1

  • 1Khan Younis Hospital Laboratory, Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Authority. zalastal@yahoo.com

Singapore Medical Journal
|August 27, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Urinary tract infection (UTI) bacterial pathogens in Gaza show increasing resistance to ciprofloxacin. This highlights the need for careful antibiotic monitoring and use to combat rising ciprofloxacin resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common globally.
  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern.
  • Specific data on UTI pathogens and ciprofloxacin resistance in the Gaza Strip is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify common bacterial organisms causing UTIs in the Gaza Strip.
  • To determine the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance in these UTI-causing bacteria.
  • To assess ciprofloxacin resistance over a six-month period.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 480 urine samples from community patients in the Gaza Strip.
  • Isolated bacteria and performed antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby Bauer method.
  • Evaluated ciprofloxacin and other antibiotics against the isolated strains.

Main Results:

  • Overall ciprofloxacin resistance rate was 15.0% among UTI isolates.
  • High resistance observed in Acinetobacter haemolyticus (28.6%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (25.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.6%), and Escherichia coli (12.0%).
  • Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin was determined for resistant isolates.

Conclusions:

  • Emerging ciprofloxacin resistance is evident among key UTI bacterial pathogens in Gaza.
  • The rising resistance necessitates coordinated surveillance of antibiotic activity.
  • Rational antibiotic use is crucial to mitigate further resistance development.

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