Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Escherichia Coli Isolated from Samples at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance has become a major health problem worldwide in recent years and has increased morbidity and mortality as well as the cost of health care. Escherichia Coli in particular is a notorious microbe which causes multiple infections. We conducted this study to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern, to commonly used antibiotics, of Escherichia coli obtained from various samples at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Pathology department, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. Various samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory to determine the presence of E. coli by use of microbiological and biochemical tests. Antibiotic resistance was determined using the disc diffusion method. Previous records were also included in the study. Results: Using the results of 363 samples, high resistance was found to cefepime (81.2%), ceftriaxone (86.6%), cefixime (90.1%), ciprofloxacin (75.6%) and Augmentin (90.2%). On the other hand, there was less resistance to amikacin (23.1%), imipenem (16.6%), meropenem (32.1%) and nitrofurantoin (32.4%). The antibiotic resistance was generally more in men, and statistically significant differences were obtained in the case of cefepime (p=0.003) and ceftriaxone (p=0.006). The antibiotic resistance pattern also showed some variation with sample type. Conclusion: E coli has become resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics like the cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. The resistance has been increasing over the years, and clinicians must take steps to discourage inappropriate use of antibiotics. Imipenem and nitrofurantoin may be used as first-line drugs against E coli infections.

Keywords

• Antimicrobial drugs
• Escherichia coli,
• antimicrobial resistance