Publication:

A comparative study on prevalence of uropathogens and their antibiogram in diabetics and non-diabetics attending a tertiary care hospital

Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a significant problem in both diabetics and non-diabetics. High glucose may create a culture medium for growth of the virulent organisms. Diabetics are at greater risk for developing complications of UTI. Extensive and improper use of antibiotics has caused widespread anti-microbial resistance among uro-pathogens. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics during Covid-19 pandemic might lead to more resistant uro-pathogens which might further complicate the treatment of UTI. This study will help to determine resistance patterns of common uro-pathogens, which is essential for proper patient care.

Methods Clean voided midstream urine samples were collected from 91 patients (67 diabetic and 24 non-diabetic). Urine cultures were performed using semi-quantitative technique and pathogens were identified using phenotypic methods. Those with colony forming units (CFU) ≥105 CFU/ml were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity testing by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and the isolates were classified as sensitive, and resistant according to CLSI guidelines.

Results E. coli (53.84%) and Enterococci (29.67%) were the most commonly isolated pathogens of UTI in both diabetics and non-diabetics. E. coli resistance to imipenem was statistically more in diabetics when compared to non-diabetics (p=0.012). Resistance patterns of other organisms were similar in both the groups.

Conclusions E. coli was the most common pathogen isolated in both groups followed by Enterococci and Klebsiella. Diabetics showed statistically significant higher resistance (100%) to imepenem than non-diabetics. Other organisms isolated in this study did not show any statistically significant difference in their antibiogram.