Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Escherichia coli at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Escherichia coli (E. coli), a normal gastro-intestinal microflora of humans and animals can be pathogenic causing a wide range of diseases. Rational use of antibiotics is one way of reducing antimicrobial resistance. This study retrospectively assessed the antimicrobial resistance patterns of E. coli from clinical samples at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.  Records of test results of microbial, culture and sensitivity from clinical samples from January 2016 to December 2019 were studied. A proforma was used to collect data from the record on antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of E. coli. Discrete and categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. Requirements for the study were met in 91.7% of the data collected. Female clients 81.8% were more than their male counterparts. Urine samples have the highest number of E. coli 62%. This was followed by samples from palate swab 14%. Eye swab, vaginal swab, ascitic fluid and pleural fluid had one each (0.03%). The penicillin were mostly resisted by the isolates, while most were sensitive to the fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins. Summary of the resistance patterns from 2016 to 2019 showed most isolates were sensitive to the effect of antimicrobials used in 2016 and 2018, while most were resistant in 2017 and 2019. The urinary tract was the most common site of E. coli infection. The pattern of resistance was inconsistent across all antibiotic classes studied