Susceptibility of E. coli to Commonly Used Antimicrobials isolated From Urine Samples

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infectious diseases all over the world. Recent studies reported an increased antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli, primary causative agent of UTI. The resistance has emerged even to more potent antimicrobial agents like fluoroquinolones. Details of 204 urine culture positive reports for E.coli and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern pertaining to the study period of 4 years from Jan 2012 to Dec 2015 were collected from Central Microbiology Laboratory of Tertiary care Hospital and the results were statistically analysed. The sensitivity pattern of E.coli to antibiotics in UTI were Nitrofurantoin (89.68%), Amikacin (88.25%), Co-trimoxazole (27.44%), Gentamycin (49.90%), Ceftazidime (22.5%), Ciprofloxacin (10.78%), Levofloxacin ( 31.85% ) Cefotaxime (15.78%), Cefuroxime (14.21% ), Ceftriaxone (16.17%), Piperacillin-Tazobactum (85.27%). The isolates showed high levels of resistance to Ampicillin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid, Norfloxacin, Cefuroxime, Ceftriaxone and Cotrimoxazole. The study shows that the organism E.coli in UTI is resistant to commonly prescribed drugs like Quinolones. This resistance was seen more in the in-patients, elderly males and females. The drug Quinolone is commonly prescribed because it achieves high concentration in urine. Over use of Quinolone has led to increased prevalence of E.coli resistance to Quinolones E.coli has developed resistance to third generation Cephalosporins, Quinolones, and cotrimoxazole and so they cannot be considered for empirical treatment in UTI caused by E.coliin this group of population.