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Bacterial Isolates from the Urine of Women in Ilorin and their Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns


I. Funsho Abdul
Boaz A. Onile

Abstract

Context: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are commonly encountered in women and, often, antibiotics are prescribed before bacteriological results are available. There is therefore a need to determine empirical antibiotics suitable in such situations.


Objective: The aims of the study were to identify the pathogens causing UTI in pregnant and non-pregnant women, determine their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns and suggest appropriate empirical antimicrobial agents for use in such patients.


Study Design and Setting: A cross-sectional study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.


Methods: Urine samples of women suspected to have UTI were sent for microscopy, culture and sensitivity tests. The results were analyzed and the differences between the results of pregnant and non-pregnant patients were assessed, using the chi-square test.


Results: Escherichia coli was the predominant cause of UTI in both groups of women. Staphylococcus aureus (0.05>p>0.01), Proteus species (0.05>p>0.01) and Pseudomonas (0.05>p>0.01) were more likely to be isolated in non-pregnant women. Sultamicillin, azithromycin, nitrofurantoin, nalidixic acid, gentamycin and cotrimoxazole demonstrated ‘good' to ‘very good' effectiveness against the organisms. The more recent, expensive antibiotics like ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and cefuroxime demonstrated ‘excellent' effectiveness against the organisms. Antibiotics were generally more effective in clearing UTI in pregnancy.


Conclusions and Recommendation: Antibiotics for empirical treatment of UTI in this environment should be those with good to excellent activities as listed above. Consideration should be given to the severity of the infection, drug safety in pregnancy and cost-effectiveness in making the appropriate choice for each patient.


(Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology: 2001, 18(2): 61-65)

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eISSN: 0189-5117