Escalating Risk of Rising Antimicrobial Resistance among UroPathogens: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Lahore

Antimicrobial Resistance in Uropathogens in Lahore

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections are common and increasingly complicated by antimicrobial-resistant uropathogens. Monitoring local resistance patterns is essential to guide effective treatment and limit the spread of resistance. Objective: To ascertain the frequency of uropathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Study Design: Retrospective study. Settings: Department of Microbiology at Shalimar Hospital, Lahore Pakistan. Duration: January 2024 to June 2024. Methods: Midstream urine samples were collected from patients who had symptomatic urinary tract infections. Culture and identification of isolates were done as per standard microbiology procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines 2024. All Information was obtained from the hospital information management system. Results: A total of 349 urine samples were received for culture. Only 146 samples yielded the growth of uropathogens. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated microorganism, 65.7% (96/146), followed by Enterococcus spp, 12.3% (18/146). A low level of resistance has been observed for E. coli against meropenem (10%), nitrofurantoin (6%), and Fosfomycin (5%). Conclusion: The continuous surge in antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens is frightening, which highlights the significance of monitoring antibiotic susceptibility trends as a key strategy for implementing antimicrobial stewardship.