The primary etiological causes of urinary tract infections are bacilli from the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly strains of Escherichia coli. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria are resistant to a wide range of β-lactams as well as to some non-β-lactam antibiotics. This current study aimed to identify the changes occurring in community-acquired urinary tract infections in terms of the development of resistance to ESBLs in uropathogenic Escherichia coli bacteriain Al-Najaf. From October 2024 to January 2025, a total of 155 urine specimens were transferred directly to the laboratory for direct examination and microscopic examination. Samples were taken for culture on media if the number of bacterial colonies was greater than 105cfu/mL. Samples were collected from hospitals in the holy city of Najaf. Specimens were inoculated on blood agar, MacConkey agar, and Endo agar. Out of a total of 155 specimens, 78 (57.3%) of isolates were Escherichia coli. Of the 78 isolates tested, the results showed that approximately half of the Escherichia coli were ESBL producers. In this study, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates revealed the lowest resistance to fosfomycin 0.0%, and 7.5% for meropenem, nitrofurantoin, and chloramphenicol. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli was the most common cause of urinary tract infections, with roughly half of these isolates producing ESBLs, which might be attributed to the usage and widespread availability of beta-lactam antibiotics to treat infections. The isolates were highly susceptible to chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, meropenem, and fosfomycin. This high sensitivity might be attributed to the antibiotics' restricted availability in Iraq, as well as their risk for severe adverse effects.
A Tue, study studied this question.