Precision medicine in practice: unravelling the prevalence and antibiograms of urine cultures for informed decision making in federal tertiary care- a guide to empirical antibiotics therapy

Umme Farwa; Samia Wazir; Farhan Kursheed; Bisma Shoaib; Sheza Batool; Muhammad Shafiq

doi:10.18502/ijm.v16i4.16306

Umme Farwa Department of Microbiology, Fazaia Medical College, Air University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Samia Wazir Department of Microbiology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
Farhan Kursheed Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Bisma Shoaib Department of Pathology, Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Sheza Batool Department of Pathology, Islamic International Medical College, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Shafiq Department of Microbiology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v16i4.16306

Keywords: Bacterial sensitivity test; Antibiotic susceptibility testing; Antibiotic resistance; Antimicrobial stewardship; An- timicrobial drug resistance

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs), one of the most prevalent bacterial infections, are facing limited treatment options due to escalating concern of antibiotic resistance. Urine cultures significantly help in identification of etiological agents responsible for these infections. Assessment of antibiotic susceptibility patterns of these bacteria aids in tackling the emerging concern of antibiotic resistance and establishment of empirical therapy guidelines. Our aim was to determine various agents responsible for urinary tract infections and to assess their antibiotic susceptibility patterns.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed over a period of six months from January 2023 to July 2023 in Department of Microbiology of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

Results: Out of 2957 positive samples, Gram negative bacteria were the most prevalent in 1939 (65.6%) samples followed by Gram positive bacteria in 418 (14.1%) and Candida spp. in 269 (9.1%) samples. In gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the most prevalent bacteria isolated from 1070 samples (55.2%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae in

397 samples (20.5%). In Gram positive bacteria, Enterococcus spp. was the most common bacteria in 213 samples (51%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus in 120 samples (28.7%). Amikacin was the most sensitive drug (91%) for Gram negative bacteria. Gram positive bacteria were most susceptible to linezolid (97%-100%).

Conclusion: The generation of a hospital tailored antibiogram is essential for the effective management of infections and countering antibiotic resistance. By adopting antimicrobial stewardship strategies by deeper understanding of sensitivity patterns, we can effectively combat antibiotic resistance.