A COMMON PROBLEM INCREASINGLY WITHOUT A SOLUTION: The Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections globally for both inpatients and outpatients. The bacteria causing these infections, primarily E.coli, have demonstrated increasing levels of resistance to traditionally prescribed antibiotics. Contributors to this rise in resistance include over-prescription of antibiotics and poor patient compliance, both of which are affected by cultural attitudes. Incidence of antibiotic resistance is higher in areas of lower socioeconomic status (SES) due to a lack of trained medical professionals, non-prescription antibiotic use, and inadequate infrastructure for both sanitation and water distribution. To combat the spread of resistance, many health departments and physicians have begun to practice antibiotic stewardship, avoiding the prescription of antibiotics if not absolutely necessary. There has also been a movement towards prophylactic non-antibiotic remedies including cranberry juice and probiotics which, combined with antibiotic stewardship, can reduce bacterial exposure to antibiotics and thus reduce the development of resistance.