Detection and isolation of bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections among a sample of infected women

Background: A urinary tract infection (UTI) is any disease that affects the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. The majority of infections affect the lower urinary tract, particularly the bladder and urethra. Women are more likely to develop UTIs than men. Objectives: To detect and isolate bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs) among a sample of infected women. Methods: From December 2024 to March 2025, urine specimens were obtained from 40 women clinically suspected of having urinary tract infections. The specimens were processed for bacterial culture to isolate and identify the causative pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was subsequently performed to assess the effectiveness of selected antibiotics against the recovered isolates. Results: The culture results revealed that 40% of the urine samples showed no bacterial growth, while 60% yielded positive bacterial isolates. Among the identified pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 21%, Klebsiella spp. for 12.5%, Proteus spp. for 8%, Staphylococcus saprophyticus for 1%, Staphylococcus epidermidis for 29%, and Escherichia coli for 25%. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated that Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, and Chloramphenicol were the most effective agents against the isolated bacterial pathogens. Conclusion: The study identified Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli as the predominant pathogens causing UTIs among the examined women. Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, and Chloramphenicol were found to be the most effective antibiotics, underscoring the need for culture-based diagnosis to guide appropriate treatment.