Antimicrobial susceptibility of urinary pathogens in women 18 to 50 years of age: evidence from three laboratories in Esmeraldas, Ecuador.

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a significant public health issue worldwide, predominantly affecting women due to anatomical and physiological factors. Objective: To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of pathogenic bacteria associated with UTIs in women aged 18 to 50, based on data collected from three laboratories in the Esmeraldas canton, Ecuador, during the period from January to December 2023. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, observational, and retrospective cross-sectional study was designed, in which 537 urine cultures and antibiograms were analyzed. The most prevalent bacteria were Escherichia coli (54.56%), Enterococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. Results: The findings revealed high resistance rates of E. coli to Ampicillin/Sulbactam (44.7%), Cotrimoxazole (38.2%), and Tetracycline (38.2%). Enterococcus spp. showed significant resistance to Ampicillin/Sulbactam (49.1%) and Tetracycline (41.7%). Meanwhile, Klebsiella spp. exhibited notable resistance to Ampicillin/Sulbactam (42.4%) and Levofloxacin (40.7%). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing prior to initiating UTI treatment, as well as the urgent need to implement new therapeutic strategies to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.