Bacteriological profile of Urinary Tract Infection and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common clinical infections globally, with primary pathogens including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Despite antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are increasing. This study aims to identify prevalent bacteria causing UTIs and assess their antibiotic susceptibility at a Bangladeshi tertiary care hospital over a year. Objective: This study aimed to identify common bacteria causing UTI and determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in a Bangladeshi tertiary care hospital, aiding clinicians in selecting appropriate antibiotics for empirical treatment. Methodology: The study, conducted from May 2022 to December 2023, involved collecting urine samples from patients with suspected UTIs and testing them against a range of antibiotics. The bacterial isolates were analyzed for growth patterns, Gram staining, and antimicrobial susceptibility. The findings were reported using frequencies and percentages, and statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22.0. Results: The study collected 1146 samples, with 838 (73.12%) from females and 308 (26.88%) from males. The prevalence rate of urinary tract infections (UTIs) was 71.72%, with 87.82% among females and 27.92% among males. UTIs were most prevalent in the 21-40 year age group, accounting for 54.98% of the samples. E. coli was the most commonly identified urinary pathogen, accounting for 37.95% of cases. Klebsiella and Acinetobacter were the most common, accounting for 21.41% and 10.94% respectively. E. coli demonstrated high sensitivity to Nitrofurantoin and Amikacin, but showed significant resistance to Ampicillin and Nalidixic acid. Klebsiella and Acinetobacter were highly sensitive to Imipenem and Amikacin, respectively. The study also provided details on the sensitivity patterns to other antibiotics. The percentage of in vitro antibiotic-sensitive patterns of most frequently isolated microorganisms was found to be high. The study highlights the importance of understanding the sensitivity patterns of various antibiotics in managing urinary tract infections. Conclusion: UTIs are prevalent in females aged 21-40 and males in older age groups, primarily due to Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli, causing resistance to antibiotics. Assessing susceptibility and avoiding indiscriminate use is crucial.