URINARY TRACT INFECTION AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PROFILE OF UROPATHOGENS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN
Main Article Content
Keywords
Urinary tract infection, Escherichia coli, multidrug resistance, uropathogens, Pakistan
Abstract
Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are widespread amongst pregnant women and may cause severe complications when left untreated. Antibiotic resistance among uropathogens with in the population is becoming increasingly common, making effective treatment difficult to achieve.
Objective: To determine the bacterial isolates and patterns of antibiotic susceptibility of uropathogensca using UTIs in pregnant women, and also discuss local resistance patterns.
Materials and Methods: This hospital-based, semi-structured study was conducted at Amna Inayat Medical College, Lahore and University College of Medicine and Dentistry Lahore from September, 2024 to February, 2025. Urine samples from pregnant women who showed signs of UTIs were inoculated into culture media, and the identification of bacteria was performed, followed by antibiotic testing of the isolated bacteria.
Results: The dominant uropathogen was Escherichia coli (70%), which showed high resistance toampicillin (60%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (55%). The resistance levels were lower with nitrofurantoin and ceftriaxone. Three out of every ten isolates were multidrug resistant.
Conclusion: The article suggests the necessity of continuous supervision and personalised forms of
treatment to address increased antibiotic resistance in UTIs of pregnant women.
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Dr Iqra Khalid
FCPS, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Reproductive Health Consultant Ipas, Pakistan
Dr Nuzhat Malik Awan
Senior Registrar Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Amna Inayat Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
Dr Hareem Binte Qasim
MBBS MRCOG MRCPI, Senior Medical Officer, Bahria Town Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Dr Nosheen Unbber
Senior Registrar, Ittefaq Hospital Trust Lahore, Pakistan
Dr Mukhzarah Nasr Chaudhry
Senior Registrar, Chaudhry Muhammad Akram Teaching and Research Hospital/ Azra Naheed Medical College, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan
Kanwal Ayub
Senior Registrar, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi, Pakistan