Abstract
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the most common bacteria related to bloodstream infections and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). UTIs are one of the not unusual place infections that can occur in community settings. UTIs rank among the most prevalent bacterial infections known to cause 1.7 million deaths, annually according to WHO. UTIs are estimated to affect 150-200 million people each year and about 40% of women and 12% of men will experience at least one symptomatic infection during a lifetime. The aim of this investigation was focused on the detection rate of MDR E. coli in the urine samples and the level of resistance to antimicrobials. Altogether 230 mid-stream urine specimens were obtained through mid-stream urine sample method from the patients who were admitted with clinical suspicion of UTI. These samples were grown on CLED agar and then identified with both Indole test and Triple Sugar Iron agar. Of the 230 urine samples, 109 of them, which was 47 percent, were positive to E. coli, whereas 121 samples, which was 52 percent, were negative. A higher level of E. coli incidence was revealed in age 51 to 60 years’ age group. More so, although the percentage distribution of E. coli isolates was relatively close to the percentage distribution of both P. aeruginosa and K. pneumonia isolates, E. coli was predominantly more frequent amongst female patients (65%). Resistance profile of E. coli isolates show 19 (39%) were MDR resistant to Ciprofloxacin = 89%, Resistant to Sulfamethoxazole – Trimethoprim = 89%, Resistant to Levofloxacin = 83%. On the other hand, amikacin was established to be the most active antibiotic against these isolates. The study presented here has shown a high percentage of drug-resistant E. coli that is emerging as a threatening factor in countries like Pakistan. This underlines the necessity of worldwide programmed of rational use of antimicrobial drugs and the search for measures to prevent the development of resistance to antibiotics in such areas.