Related Experiment Videos
Frequency and transmissibility of trimethoprim resistance in enterobacteria from urinary infections
Abstract:
In a survey of 8,986 enterobacterial strains from urinary tract infections collected between September 1980 and June 1981, the overall frequency of resistance to trimethoprim was 3.5%. Strains collected from long-stay patients showed the highest frequency (7.7%); those from general practice the lowest frequency (2.3%), while those from hospital in-patients and out-patients were intermediate with 4.7 and 3.2 respectively. All these differences were statistically significant. In a further study of 117 resistant strains, Escherichia coli accounted for 47% of strains and Proteus sp. for 27%. Transfer of trimethoprim resistance occurred in 44% of E. coli strains and 22% of Klebsiella. A significant increase in the frequency of resistant strains was noted between the first 5 months of the study and the second 5.
Insights
Trimethoprim resistance in enterobacterial strains from urinary tract infections was 3.5% overall. Resistance was highest in long-stay patients and increased during the study period.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, often caused by enterobacterial species.
- Trimethoprim is a widely used antibiotic for treating UTIs.
- Monitoring antimicrobial resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of trimethoprim resistance in enterobacterial strains causing UTIs.
- To investigate variations in resistance based on patient origin (long-stay, general practice, hospital).
- To examine the prevalence of trimethoprim resistance transfer among common UTI pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 8,986 enterobacterial strains from UTIs collected over a 10-month period (Sept 1980 - June 1981).
- Analysis of resistance frequencies across different patient groups.
- Plasmid-mediated resistance transfer studies on a subset of 117 resistant strains, focusing on Escherichia coli and Klebsiella.
Main Results:
- Overall trimethoprim resistance was 3.5%.
- Highest resistance (7.7%) observed in strains from long-stay patients; lowest (2.3%) in general practice.
- Statistically significant differences in resistance frequencies were found between patient groups.
- Trimethoprim resistance transfer was observed in 44% of Escherichia coli and 22% of Klebsiella strains.
- A significant increase in resistant strains was noted from the first to the second half of the study.
Conclusions:
- Trimethoprim resistance in enterobacteria causing UTIs was relatively low but showed significant variations.
- Long-stay patients represent a high-risk group for trimethoprim-resistant infections.
- The study highlights the potential for plasmid-mediated spread of trimethoprim resistance.
- An increasing trend in resistance suggests the need for ongoing surveillance.