Prevalence of Multidrug Resistant Escherichia coli among Urinary Tract Infection Patients in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: A common infection known as a urinary tract infection arises when bacteria enter the urethra and infect the urinary system. These germs are usually from the skin or the rectum. Antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most concerning topics due to its severity. This study assessed the trends of antibiotic resistance in E.coli isolates from UTI Individuals. Examining the incidence of uropathogenic E.coli and their multidrug resistance pattern in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Methods: A 6-month duration-based cross-sectional study was carried out at the microbiology department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan from July to November 2023. Non-probability sampling, specifically convenient sampling, was used in the study. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS software version 20.

Result: The analysis of UTI prevalence by age and gender showed that women (68.3%) were more likely to become infected than males (31.6%), with the incidence of infection being highest in the 31–40 age range. Cefixime resistance was greatest at 95%, followed by ceftriaxone resistance at 88.33% and amoxicillin resistance at 78%. 46.6% of them have more than five medication resistance.

Conclusion: The results of the study will help the health department create guidelines for antibiotic prescriptions that will aid medical officers in choosing the appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Education programs that focus on raising knowledge are crucial for preventing E. coli infections and lowering the need for Cefixime and other highly resistant medications. Regular monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility is necessary.