FREQUENCY OF COMMON PATHOGENS CAUSING URINARY TRACT INFECTION ADMITTED TO OUR UNIT

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections globally, significantly impacting public health due to rising antimicrobial resistance. Identifying the frequency of causative pathogens is essential for effective treatment and regional antimicrobial stewardship. Objective: To determine the frequency of common pathogens responsible for urinary tract infections in patients admitted to the Medical A Unit of Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Swat. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over six months, involving 178 patients aged 16 to 65 years diagnosed with UTI. Midstream urine samples were collected and cultured using standard microbiological techniques to identify bacterial pathogens. Demographic data and comorbidities were recorded. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0, with descriptive and inferential statistics applied to evaluate frequency distributions and associations. Results: The most frequently isolated pathogen was Escherichia coli (50.6%), followed by Enterococcus faecalis (22.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.7%), and Enterococcus faecium (11.2%). UTIs were more prevalent in females (75.3%) and rural residents (60.1%). Comorbid conditions included diabetes (29.8%) and hypertension (34.8%). The findings reflect a microbial pattern consistent with global trends, with E. coli being the predominant uropathogen. Conclusion: Escherichia coli remains the most common uropathogen in UTIs, emphasizing the need for region-specific microbiological surveillance to inform empirical treatment. The study supports the implementation of targeted antibiotic stewardship programs and continuous monitoring of resistance trends.