Antimicrobial Resistance of Bacterial Uropathogens Before and During Coronavirus Pandemic

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to define the most common bacterial isolates of urinary tract infections and the differences in antibiotic resistance before and during the coronavirus pandemic.

Methods: The study included 213 patients with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Mostar in a two-year period, 2019 and 2021. We analyzed the incidence of urinary infections and uropathogens, as well as antibiotic resistance.

Main findings: This study included a total of 213 patients, with a greater number of female patients, an average age of 66 and over, and the most frequent clinical diagnosis being acute cystitis. The most common bacterial isolates were E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Enterococcus spp. We showed a decrease in the incidence of E. coli in 2019 and an increase in K. pneumoniae in 2021. Antibiogram results revealed a rise in antibiotic resistance in 2021 for all bacterial isolates except for K. pneumoniae.

Principal conclusion: The frequency of urinary tract infections was highest in older women, with the most frequent diagnosis being acute cystitis. The most common bacterial pathogens in urinary tract infections are E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Enterococcus spp., representing the main cause. In general, there has been an increase in the antibiotic resistance of uropathogens.