KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE IN USING THE ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY TEST TOWARDS ENTEROBACTERIACEAE ISOLATED FROM URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Mohammed Abdullah Al-Khawi; Saleh S. Bahaj; Huda Zaid Al-Shami; Hassan Abdulwahab Al-Shamahy; Eshrak Adulmalik Al-Gunaid

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v10i3.1350

Mohammed Abdullah Al-Khawi Medical Microbiology and Clinical Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University.
Saleh S. Bahaj Medical Microbiology and Clinical Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University.
Huda Zaid Al-Shami Medical Microbiology and Clinical Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University.
Hassan Abdulwahab Al-Shamahy Medical Microbiology and Clinical Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University. Departement of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Sana’a University, Republic of Yemen.
Eshrak Adulmalik Al-Gunaid The National Center of Public Health Laboratories (NCPHL), Sana'a, Yemen.

10.22270/ujpr.v10i3.1350

Keywords:

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), appropriateness of antimicrobial agents, CLSI guidelines, knowledge and practice, Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Abstract

Background and aims: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as an urgent worldwide problem, particularly in developing countries like Yemen. Clinical microbiology laboratories play an essential role in guiding appropriate antimicrobial therapy through antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). This study aims to assess the knowledge and practices of antimicrobial susceptibility testing in public and private laboratories in Sana’a, Yemen, focusing on bacterial isolates from urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, analyzing 220 AST reports on positive urine cultures from public and private laboratories in Sana’a. The appropriateness of antimicrobial agent selection for testing and reporting susceptibility results was evaluated against CLSI M100-Ed32, 2022 guideline. Additionally, a standardized questionnaire was used to assess laboratory personnel's knowledge and practices related to AST.

Results: The study identified significant discrepancies in antimicrobial susceptibility testing and reporting practice between private and public laboratories in Sana'a, Yemen. Findings indicate a significant gap in the adherence to CLSI guidelines, with low testing and reporting rates for primary appropriate antimicrobial agents and over-reporting of inappropriate agents.

Conclusions: The study identified significant gaps in knowledge and adherence to international AST standards. Selective reporting is not being implemented. Therefore, a national antimicrobial program, including AST's unified guidelines, regular training in laboratory workers, and the creation of accurate internal and external measures to ensure accuracy and reliability of AST results.