Emerging Multidrug Resistance in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli: Evidence from University Students in Nigeria

Aims: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent bacterial infections seen in developing nations. This infection occurs in the urinary system like urethra and bladder and can possibly affect anyone. The aim of this study is to determine the rising prevalence of uropathogenic Eshcherichia coli and its multidrug resistance isolates from urine samples of male and female students of Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ebonyi State. Methodology: A total of seventy (70) urine samples were collected using the mid-stream “clean catch” method from both male and female students of Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ebonyi State to screen for E. coli and tested bacteriologically using standard microbiological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed for the isolated pathogens using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Result: Out of the 70 urine samples analyzed, 48(68.5%) were positive for Escherichia coli amongst female while 22(31.2%) were positive for. E. coli amongst male. The age group with the highest E. coli was those between the age of 25-30 years with 100% for both male and female. Antimicrobial susceptibility result shows that Ceftriaxone (95%), Ciprofloxacin (75%), Tetracycline (75%), Amoxicillin-clavulanic (85%), Nitrofurantoin (70%) and were susceptible to E. coli. while Ampicillin (90%), Gentamycin (60%) Ofloxacin (50%) and Cefoxitin (65%) were highly resistant to E. coli. Conclusion: This finding showed that E. coli was the most predominant pathogen among female students than the male which may be because of the position of their anatomical structure. The pathogen E. coli shows a very high resistance to the commonly prescribed drugs which in turn leaves the students with very few alternative options of drugs for the treatment of UTIs.