Uropathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns: Relationship with urinary tract infections

This study was performed to determine the prevalence of uropathogens causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and to determine their pattern of antimicrobial resistance.

This study was conducted on 273 urine samples collected from outpatient departments (OPDs) of Qassim University affiliated hospitals. Fully automated VITEK 2 compact system was used in the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of causative microorganisms.

Of 273 urine samples, only 89 (32.6%) were found to show significant growth for UTI, and overall, drug resistance was found in 92% (n = 82/89) of samples, with most (80%) being resistant to at least two drugs. Antibiotic resistance was commonly observed in ampicillin (88.3%), piperacillin (72.7%), clindamycin (66.7%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (66.2%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (50%). The commonly isolated microorganisms were Escherichia coli 24 (27%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 11 (12.4%), Proteus mirabilis 4 (4.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 4 (4.5%), Enterobacter cloacae 5 (5.6%), Enterococcus faecalis 5 (5.6%), and Staphylococcus saprophyticus 3 (3.4%).

This research work has shown that patients with UTI in Qassim are at high risk of antibiotic resistance. The work also showed that multidrug-resistant bacteria can lead to momentous therapeutic problems in OPD patients.