Antibiotics and Resistance of Uropathogens

Abstract

This article shall give an overview of the commonly used antibiotics in urological practice, their resistance rates and the resistance mechanisms of uropathogens. The bacterial spectrum of urinary tract infections and the resistance rates of uncomplicated community acquired and complicated, nosocomially acquired uropathogens can differ substantially from region to region and over time. The results from different surveillance studies are evaluated and exemplary the resistance rates of uropathogens in the last ten years of our institution are reflected. Especially the increasing resistance of enterobacteria to fluoroquinolones is notable. Antibiotics are widely used in urological practice for the need of modern medicine and therefore antibiotic resistance is of increasing importance for the urologist. Knowledge of resistance rates is paramount for empirical antimicrobial therapy. A basic understanding of the resistance mechanisms is of great help in this respect.