PREVALENCE AND DRUG RESISTANCE OF UROPATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI AMONG PATIENTS FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Pooja Tomar, K. P. Ranjan* and Savita B. Jain

ABSTRACT

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common infectious diseases diagnosed that accounts for a large proportion of antimicrobial drug consumption. Antimicrobial resistance among bacterial strains is an emerging problem. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli and their antimicrobial susceptibilty pattern for the duration of two years. A total of 200 Escherichia coli isolates were recovered from urine samples of patients with clinically suspected UTIs of all age groups and identified. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed as per CLSI guideline. The incidence of UTI was more in the age group of 21-30 years whereas the incidence was slightly more in females than males. The maximum sensitivity to UPEC isolates were shown by nitrofurantoin. The prevalence of pathogens and their susceptibility to antibiotics must be considered in the choice of treatment for UTI and periodically review and formulation of antibiotic policy are needed for control of acquisition of drug resistance.

Keywords: Urinary tract infection, Prevalence, Antibiotic resistance, Escherichia coli, UPEC.