Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Among Urinary Tract Infection Patients Attending Private Laboratories in Baghdad City

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in the community. These infections are caused by the colonization of uro-pathogens into the urinary tract. The most common causative agents of UTI are Gram-negative bacteria most frequently by Escherichia coli. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is a serious problem and greatest challenge in public health care necessitating constant antibiotic susceptibility screening for organisms causing UTI. Aim of the study: To assess the most frequent pathogens involved in urinary tract infections in two private laboratories in Baghdad City, and the antibiotic susceptibility of isolates. Materials and methods: One hundred twenty four urine samples received by the laboratories for culture and susceptibility testing over a period from December 2020 to June 2021were analyzed and included in this study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done on cultured isolates.Results: Fifty-three samples 53/124(42.7%) had positive culture. Prevalence of bacterial UTIs were higher in the age group 30-39 with 15/53 (28.3%). The prevalence was higher in females (75.5%) compared to (24.5%) in males. Cultures revealed six bacterial pathogens of which Escherichia coli was the most prevalent isolate (60.4%), followed by Klebsiella spp (20.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.7%), Proteus spp (3.8%) and streptococcal spp (1.9 %). The antibiotic sensitivity of pathogens isolated from positive urine cultures against the tested antibiotics showed highest rate to imipenem (98%) followed by amikacin (90%) and less to ciprofloxacine, nitrofurantoin while the lowest sensitivity were shown in co-trimoxazole (25%) and cefotaxime (20%). Conclusion: Treatment for UTIs should be determined based on antibiotic susceptibility patterns of uro-pathogens to minimise therapeutic failures and prevent antibiotic misuse.