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Original Research
Antimicrobial sensitivities and causative organisms of urinary tract infections in a rural family practice
South African Family Practice | Vol 20, No 1 | a2252 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v20i1.2252
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Submitted: 27 November 2011 | Published: 30 January 1999
Submitted: 27 November 2011 | Published: 30 January 1999
About the author(s)
D. O'Mahony, Family Practitioner, South AfricaFull Text:
PDF (1MB)Abstract
Objectives: To describe the antimicrobial sensitivities and the causative organisms of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in a rural family practice.
Setting: A family practice in the rural Port St Johns district.
Design: Descriptive and prospective.
Methods: Urine samples from consecutive patients with symptoms of UTI and pyuria on urine microscopy underwent bacterial culture. Sensitivity testing to antibiotics was performed on cultures yielding SKT colony-forming units per millilitre (cfu/ml) of a single pathogenic organism.
Results: UTI was diagnosed in S3 patients, 46 females and 7 males. Escherichia coli (3") was the commonest organism isolated. Of all organisms isolated, only 15 (28%) were sensitive to ampicillin and 22 (42%) to cotrimoxazole. All organisms tested were sensitive to fosfomycin, ofloxacin, norloxacin and ciprofloxacin and more than 80% of organisms were sensitive to cefaclor, nalidixic acid and pipemidic acid. Organisms were significantly less sensitive to ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, cefadroxil, nitrofurantoin and co-amoxiclav.
Conclusions: Ampicillin and cotrimoxazole can no longer be recommended for empirical treatment of UTI. Recommendations are made for antimicrobial treatment of uncomplicated UTIs in primary care in the Port St Johns district.
Setting: A family practice in the rural Port St Johns district.
Design: Descriptive and prospective.
Methods: Urine samples from consecutive patients with symptoms of UTI and pyuria on urine microscopy underwent bacterial culture. Sensitivity testing to antibiotics was performed on cultures yielding SKT colony-forming units per millilitre (cfu/ml) of a single pathogenic organism.
Results: UTI was diagnosed in S3 patients, 46 females and 7 males. Escherichia coli (3") was the commonest organism isolated. Of all organisms isolated, only 15 (28%) were sensitive to ampicillin and 22 (42%) to cotrimoxazole. All organisms tested were sensitive to fosfomycin, ofloxacin, norloxacin and ciprofloxacin and more than 80% of organisms were sensitive to cefaclor, nalidixic acid and pipemidic acid. Organisms were significantly less sensitive to ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, cefadroxil, nitrofurantoin and co-amoxiclav.
Conclusions: Ampicillin and cotrimoxazole can no longer be recommended for empirical treatment of UTI. Recommendations are made for antimicrobial treatment of uncomplicated UTIs in primary care in the Port St Johns district.
Keywords
antimicrobial sensitivities; ampicillin; cotrimoxazole
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