Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Escherichia Coli (E-Coli) and Association of Infections in Immune-Compromised Cancer Patients

Abstract: Background: Incidents of infections in immune-compromised patients are the cause of increased morbidity and mortality, this study aims to determine the microbial spectrum of Cancer patients with urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, and gastrointestinal tract infections. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at a Layari General Hospital, in Karachi from March 2022 till May 2023. Patients from the oncology department were recruited in the study, Sputum, urine (mid-stream), or stool samples were collected for analysis. SPSS 22 was used to analyze the data. Effect modifiers were controlled through stratification. To assess the association between two variable mean values, a chi-square test was performed keeping the p-value ≤0.05 as significant. Result: A total of 170 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 36.8 ± 12.9 years and, a mean weight of 66.8 ± 14.2 kgs. Gender distribution indicated higher incidents in male patients with 95 (%) while 80 (%) females were included in the study. Escherichia Coli (E-Coli) was the most frequently reported organism 133 (78.2%) in Urinary tract infection, similarly Staphylococcus aureus was most frequently reported in Respiratory tract infection with 86 (50.4%), and Salmonella spp. and Shigella Spp. were reported with equal frequency in Gastrointestinal infection with 26 (15.6%) and 26 (15.6%) respectively. Conclusion: According to this study’s findings, urinary tract infections are the most frequently reported illness in immune-compromised patients, with Escherichia Coli (E-Coli) being the most widely reported microorganism. Broad-spectrum antibiotic overuse causes antibiotic resistance and increases illness rates.