Analysis of urinary tract infection (UTI) isolates from East African countries found that approximately half were multidrug resistant (MDR), researchers reported last week. JAC – Antibacterial resistance.
for studyResearchers recruited children and adults with urinary tract infection-like symptoms from health facilities in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda and collected urine samples for microbiological analysis, including antibiotic susceptibility testing. MDR bacteria are defined as isolates that are resistant to at least one substance from three or more classes of antibiotics.
Of the 7,583 patients with symptomatic UTIs (3,852 in Tanzania, 1,903 in Kenya, and 1,828 in Uganda), 2,653 (35.0%) had microbiologically confirmed UTIs. The main bacteria were: Escherichia coli (37.0%), Staphylococcus (26.3%), Klebsiella (5.8%), and Enterococcus (5.5%). Of his 2,266 strains submitted for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, 1,153 (50.9%) were classified as his MDR.
Survey results fill ‘significant data gap’
MDR rates were 60.9% in Tanzania, 57.5% in Uganda, and 36.9% in Kenya. By pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus The MDR rate is highest (60.9%), followed by Escherichia coli (52.2%), Klebsiella (50.6%), Enterococcus (38.1%), other intestinal bacteria (31.2%). The proportion of MDR bacteria was much higher in hospitalized patients than in outpatients. The analysis also found “very high” levels of resistance to first-line antibiotics for urinary tract infections across pathogens.
Study authors say this finding fills a critical data gap and should be used to inform guidelines for empiric antibiotic treatment of UTIs in East Africa.
“More broadly, they highlight the need for regular AMR surveillance programs to facilitate antimicrobial stewardship, expansion of diagnostic testing capacity, and urgent investment in diagnostic algorithms to counter the threat of AMR.” “We call for greater involvement from policymakers in the world.”