Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of urinary isolates from outpatients suspected for urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans and a major cause of morbidity. The pathogens traditionally associated with UTI and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns are changing from time to time and across different environment. Knowledge of the antibiotic resistance patterns of uropathogens in specific geographical locations is an important factor for choosing an appropriate empirical antimicrobial treatment. This study therefore evaluates the causative organisms present in urine specimen and their antibiotic susceptibility profile among patients suspected for UTI attending the general outpatient department clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty (150) mid-stream urine samples were collected from patients suspected of having a UTI and subjected to macroscopic assessment, isolation, and characterization as well as resistance- susceptibility test of isolates using standard conventional techniques. Results showed that UTI was frequently encountered in females 39 (26%) than males 21 (14%) while 60 % of the samples yielded no growth after 48 hours incubation. The most common pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (47.19%), followed by Escherichia coli (20.22%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.73%), Candida albicans (10.11%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.62%) and Proteus mirabilis (1.12%). Staphylococcus aureus isolates were highly susceptible to Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (88.10%) with lower susceptibility to Ofloxacin (52%), Cloxacillin (50%). This information will directly affect selection of empirical therapy for UTI and emphasizes the need for choosing an appropriate antimicrobial treatment in specific geographical locations.