Infection and Drug Resistance (Aug 2023)
Incidence Pattern, Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern and Associated Risk Factors of Bacterial Uropathogens Among General Population of Pakistan
Abstract
Iram Khatoon,1 Surrya Khanam,1 Asima Azam,2 Saima Qadeer,3 Shumaila Naz,4 Najm Ul Hassan5 1Department of Zoology, Women University Swabi, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 2Department of Zoology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 3Department of Zoology, Division of Science & Technology, University of Education Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, 54000, Pakistan; 4Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan; 5Department of Microbiology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PakistanCorrespondence: Surrya Khanam, Department of Zoology, Women University Swabi, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Tel +923348742560, Email [email protected]: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are of the most common bacterial infections in Pakistan. Rapid increase in antibiotic resistance has resulted in a limited number of treatment options available. This study aimed to determine the incidence patterns of uropathogens, their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and risk factors for UTI among the general population.Methods: This laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2020 and March 2021. Urine samples were collected, cultured and bacterial isolates were identified. Bacterial isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, clinical features and risk factors were collected using structured questionnaire.Results: Of 459 urine samples, 299 (65.1%) showed positive urine cultures (105 CFU/mL). Both gram-negative and gram-positive isolates were obtained, with a prevalence of 230 (76.9%) and 69 (23%), respectively. Escherichia coli was the predominant bacteria isolated 146 (48.8%), and it showed most susceptibility to cefoperazone and imipenem. Most of the gram-negative isolates were resistant towards ampicillin. Most risk factors were not significantly associated with UTI, except for age, income, and previous history of hospitalization.Conclusion: UTI is an important problem in the study area, with a prevalence rate of 65%. All bacterial isolates developed resistance towards most antibiotics available on the market. Therefore, there is a need to develop management strategies based on susceptibility pattern of uropathogens. Additionally, proper public education regarding causes of disease transmission and control strategies is required.Keywords: antimicrobial susceptibility, risks factors, urinary tract infections, Pakistan
