A comparison of antimicrobial sensitivities of urinary pathogens for the years 1980 and 1990

Urinary tract infection is a major cause of morbidity in both the hospital and community which often requires empirical therapy. We have retrospectively studied laboratory diagnosed urinary tract infections for the years 1980 and 1990 to document the common pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. In 1990 a significantly lower proportion of specimens yielded Proteus sp. or Klebsiella sp. than was the case in 1980. This was true of specimens from both the hospital and the community. There was an increase in the proportion of specimens yielding Pseudomonas sp. and coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS). Significant changes in the antimicrobial susceptibility of urinary pathogens are also noted. In particular a greater proportion of isolates from the community were sensitive to cephalothin in 1990, while fewer isolates were sensitive to nalidixic acid and gentamicin. A greater proportion of isolated from hospital practice were sensitive to ampicillin, to cephalothin and to trimethoprim in 1990 while fewer isolates were sensitive to gentamicin. In relation to nitrofurantoin no significant change was noted. In respect of isolates from both community and hospital practice the agents ofloxacin, co-amoxiclav (not available in 1980) and gentamicin are those which are most consistently active.