Antibiotic resistance profile of common uropathogens during COVID-19 pandemic: hospital based epidemiologic study

Background: Antimicrobial resistance has a direct impact on the ability to treat common infections, and this was worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Worldwide surveillance studies are lacking and resistance rates vary spatially, so frequent local surveillance reports are required to guide antimicrobial stewardship efforts. This study aims to report our common local uropathogens and their antibiogram profiles in our community during the COVID era. Methods: A retrospective study included patients referred to our urology units with urine culture and sensitivity. All bacterial strains were identified, and their antibiotic susceptibilities were tested. Results: Out of 2581 urine culture results recruited, 30% showed microbiological proof of infection. The majority, 486 (63.4%), were isolated from females. The most frequent isolates were Escherichia coli (44.4%) and Staphylococcus aureus (17.8%). The resistance rates ranged from 26.9 to 79.7%. Piperacillin-tazobactam antibiotic had the lowest resistance rate. The multi-drug resistance pattern was recorded in 181 (23.9%) of the isolates; 159/597 (26.6%) Gram-negative and 22/160 (13.8%) Gram-positive isolates. Conclusions: Alarming rates of antimicrobial resistance were detected, which stresses the significance of following infection control policies and establishing national antimicrobial stewardship standards.