Abstract

Objective: To assess multidrug resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates from patients with urinary tract infection. Methods: From February to June 2014, a cross sectional study was conducted among urinary tract infection patients at the University of Gondar Hospital. Culture and disk diffusion method were used for E. coli isolation and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 112 E. coli isolates were identified and the rate of isolation was higher among female participants (28.7%; P = 0.03). Of the isolates, 104 (92.9%) were MDR E. coli; and the isolates showed high resistance rates towards ampicillin (99%), cotrimoxazole (69%), chloramphenicol (58.7%), gentamycin (56.7%) and ceftazidime (55.8%). However, comparative isolates showed low resistance rates to ciprofloxacin (1%), cefepime (8.7%), and ceftriaxone (11.5%). Moreover, resistance rates of MDR E. coli isolates were significantly higher than non-MDR strains for ceftazidime (55.8% versus 12.5%; P = 0.015), and ampicillin (99% versus 87.5%; P = 0.018). Conclusions: High prevalence of MDR E. coli isolates was observed in this study. Regular monitoring of antibiotic resistance rates is necessarily required to improve and revise empirical antibiotic therapy protocols.

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