Antibiotic susceptibility testing of bacterial Isolates Associated with Urinary Tract Infection in the northern region of Thi-qar Province

Abstract

Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent infectious diseases, affecting millions worldwide and incurring
significant healthcare costs. The study aimed to assess antibiotic resistance to commonly used antibiotics among bacterial
pathogens linked to UTIs. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method and in accordance
with CLSI guidelines (2024).After identification and isolation, only 43 samples were positive for bacterial urinary tract
infections (28.7%). The predominant uropathogen was Escherichia coli 15 (34.9%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 11
(25.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 8 (18.6%), Proteus mirabilis 5(11.6) and Staphylococcus aureus 4 (9.3%). E. coli isolates
showed variable resistance rates to Cefotaxime (60%), Ciprofloxacin (53.3%), Tetracycline (66.7%), Trimethoprim (73.3%)
and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (66.7%). K. pneumonaie isolates were high resistant to Ciprofloxacin (63.63%),
Tetracycline (100%), Tobramycin (63.63%), Trimethoprim (81.8%) and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (63.63%). Most
of P. aerugenosa and P.mirabilis were resistance to Trimethoprim (100% for each) and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
(100% and 80%, respectively). All P.aerugenosa isolates were resistant to Nitrofurantoin (100%). Isolates of S.aureus were
significantly resistant to Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (75%), Tobramycin (100%), Erythromycin (100%) and
Tetracycline (75%).