Purpose: To analyze the prevalence and resistance rates of bacterial agents causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Aseer, Saudi Arabia (2013-2016).
Patients and methods: This was a 4-year (2013-2016) retrospective study undertaken in Aseer Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia. A total of 49,779 urine and other UT specimens obtained from patients suspected of having a UTI were analyzed. Urine specimens were inoculated onto cystine lactose electrolyte deficient agar following standard procedures. Cultures showing significant bacteriuria were subjected to identification and sensitivity testing using VITEK 2 system. Data of patients and uropathogens were assembled, checked, and analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: Culture positive samples were 49,779 (59.9% males, 40.1% females; P = 0.000). Year trend showed significant variations (P = 0.000) and the forecast trend line hypothesized a clear rise. Age groups 70-79 years were the most vulnerable group (22.3%). Gram-negative bacilli were 91.8% and the major species were Escherichia coli - 39.7%, Klebsiella pneumoniae - 15.8%; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - 13.8%, Proteus mirabilis - 10.6%, and Acinetobacter baumannii - 5%. Antimicrobials with high sensitivity rate were linezolid (99.1%), daptomycin (89.3%), vancomycin (86.7%), teicoplanin (85.5%), ertapenem (85.1%), fosfomycin (82.1%), and tigecycline (80.2%). High resistant rates to uropathogens were encountered with cephalothin (89.8%), nalidixic acid (86.7%), and ampicillin (81.9%).
Conclusions: The majority of uropathogens were resistant to antibiotics commonly used in clinical practice. Linezolid, daptomycin, and vancomycin showed the lowest resistance to all uropathogens; this can be revised for empirical treatment of UTIs. Continuous surveillance of uropathogens and their susceptibility is important.
Keywords: Aseer; Saudi Arabia; drug resistance; in vitro assay; urinary tract infections.