Uropathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in rural population: A cross-sectional observative study

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the widespread human microbial disorders affecting all the age groups, which may involve the whole part of the urinary tract from the urethra to kidneys and are associated with a significant burden of mortality and morbidity. Although various microorganisms, including viruses, fungi, and parasites, are responsible for UTIs, bacteria are the leading cause. The prevalence of uropathogens in cases of UTI varies according to demographic features, community or hospital-based and also due to the use of different antibiotics in the community and hospital settings. Aim of the Study: To determine the prevalence of uropathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in rural populations. Study Design: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Dr.PSIMS & RF, Chinaoutapalli, Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 1378 clean-catch midstream urine samples from clinically suspected cases of UTI which were received from outpatient and inpatient set-up of various clinical departments were processed according to standard protocol and guidelines and the isolated pathogens were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and interpreted according to CLSI guidelines. Results: In the present study, the prevalence of UTI is 29.53%, where Escherichia coli is the predominant isolate (56.06), followed by Klebsiella spp (16.95%) and among Gram-positives, Enterococcus faecalis is the predominant isolate (10.81%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (2.70%). Conclusion: As the prevalence of bacterial uropathogens as well as their antibiotic sensitivity pattern varies in different geographical locations and time to time it is important that the diagnosis of UTI is not only dependent on the clinical signs and symptoms, it should be correlated with the positive urine culture and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the uropathogen isolated. Without having knowledge about the prevalence of uropathogens in that particular area and their susceptibility pattern, starting empirical antibiotic therapy will not only prolong the disease and lead to complications in the patients, and a negative consequence will also be added in the form of the development of multidrug resistance (MDR).