Antibiograms of uropathogens in obstetric patients

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most commonly encountered infections in obstetric patients.

Aim: The current study was undertaken to find the spectrum of micro-organisms responsible for causing UTI in obstetric patients and to find out the most appropriate antibiotic.

Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients in different stages of pregnancy with or without symptoms of UTI attending the antenatal clinic from June 2019 to November 2020 were screened for significant bacteriuria. The bacterial uropathogens isolated were then subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and screened for ESBL production and methicillin resistance.

Results: During the 18-month study period, out of the 110 samples screened, a total of 66 (60%) samples of urine from pregnant females, in different stages of pregnancy were found to be positive on culture. The Enterobacteriaceae accounted for nearly 69.69% of the isolates and E. coli alone accounted for 42.42% of the urinary isolates followed by Acinetobacter 19.69%. Among the Gram-positive cocci, Enterococcus 25.75% were more frequently isolated than Staphylococcus aureus (4.54%). Significantly high resistance was noted to the beta-lactam group of antimicrobials, fluoroquinolones and cotrimoxazole, both by the Gram-negative bacilli as well as Gram-positive cocci. Resistance was quite low against the aminoglycosides and nitrofurantoin and virtually absent against imipenem.

Conclusion: The susceptibility patterns seen in our study seem to suggest that it is necessary to obtain sensitivity reports before initiation of antibiotic therapy in cases of suspected UTI.