ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERNS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATED FROM THE URINARY TRACT OF PATIENTS ATTENDING ENUGU STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL PARKLANE ENUGU, NIGERIA

Chidimma Maureen Chukwueze; Chiemerie A. Ani; Kosisochukwu T. Okwunweze; Eberechukwu Grace Okoh; Chibueze. C. Nwobodo; Dennis Chinaza Egbo; Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v11i3.1572

Chidimma Maureen Chukwueze Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Chiemerie A. Ani Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jennifer Etuh Medical Centre, Cross River state, Nigeria.
Kosisochukwu T. Okwunweze Life Support Medical Center, 7 Bello Crescent Ilupeju Lagos, Nigeria
Eberechukwu Grace Okoh Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Chibueze. C. Nwobodo Goldlife Medical diagnostic Services, Enugu, Nigeria.
Dennis Chinaza Egbo Department of Biomedical Science, University of Salford, Manchester, England.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu Division of Haematology, Department of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, Africa University, Zimbabwe. Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

10.22270/ujpr.v11i3.1572

Keywords:

Antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, Escherichia coli, urinary tract infection

Abstract

Background and objectives: Antimicrobial resistance among uropathogenic Escherichia coli represents a growing therapeutic challenge worldwide. This study investigated the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of E. coli isolated from patients presenting with urinary tract infections (UTIs) at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT-TH), Enugu, Nigeria, and examined socio-demographic factors influencing antibiotic use.

Subjects and methods: A total of 200 patients participated in this study, comprising 59 (29.5%) males and 141 (70.5%) females, predominantly aged 18 – 25 years (46.5%). E. coli isolated from the 200 urine samples were 45, representing a prevalence of 22.5%. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method and high resistance rates were observed against ceftriaxone (84.4%), amoxicillin (84.44%), streptomycin (77.78%), chloramp-henicol (75.56%), ofloxacin (71.11%), meropenem (66.67%).

Results: Moderate resistance was recorded for ciprofloxacin (55.56%) and nitrofurantoin (57.78%) while gentamicin demonstrated the highest susceptibility (77.78%). Chi-square bivariate analysis revealed that though all respondents had used antibiotics, significant associations existed between gender and knowledge of antibiotics (p=0.028), previous UTI (p=0.010), and prior antibiotic treatment (p=0.012).

Conclusions: The findings highlight substantial resistance to routine antibiotics and emphasize the need for periodic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, strengthened antibiotic stewardship and enhanced public health education to improve UTI management.