COVID-19 pandemic impact on antibiotics sensitivity of E. coli and K. pneumoniae from urine specimens: a retrospective study

Mohammad A Abu Lubad; Munir A Abu-Helalah; Tahany S Al-Hajaia; Kholoud A Al-Hutaibat; Amin A Aqel; Hamed Alzoubi

doi:10.3855/jidc.17615

COVID-19 pandemic impact on antibiotics sensitivity of E. coli and K. pneumoniae from urine specimens: a retrospective study

Authors

Mohammad A Abu Lubad Department of Microbiology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Alkarak, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3658-5675
Munir A Abu-Helalah Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University, Amman 11942, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2437-5547
Tahany S Al-Hajaia Karak Governmental Hospital, Laboratory Department, Jordan
Kholoud A Al-Hutaibat Karak Governmental Hospital, Laboratory Department, Jordan
Amin A Aqel Department of Microbiology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Alkarak, Jordan
Hamed Alzoubi Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17615

Keywords:

Antibiotic, resistance, COVID-19, E. coli, K. pneumoniae

Abstract

Introduction: Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are common organisms associated with urinary tract infections. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on antibiotics misuse globally. This study analyzed the antibiotic susceptibility for these two pathogens isolated from urine samples during the period of 18 months before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted in Al-Karak government referral and teaching hospital in Jordan. The study included two groups; group A included urine samples from September 2018 to March 11, 2020, while group B from March 12, 2020 to August 2021. Samples were analyzed using the automated VITEK 2 system and the analysis of results was done using the WHONET version 5.6.

Results: A total of 642 E. coli and 113 K. pneumoniae were isolated and analyzed. The antibiogram showed a significant overall increase in antibiotic susceptibility of both bacteria during the pandemic period (group B). The sensitivity has significantly increased by 75% (15/20) and 50% (10/20) for all antibiotics used for E. coli and K. pneumoniae respectively. On the other hand, E. coli showed a significant increase in resistance to ceftriaxone (13.4%) and gentamicin (6.4%). A similar trend of an increase in resistance to gentamicin (17.4%) was also noticed among K. pneumoniae isolates.

Conclusions: The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern for urine isolates showed an increased overall sensitivity and an increased resistance to ceftriaxone and gentamicin during the pandemic period. Our results highlight the need for revising and updating the antimicrobial stewardship programs post-COVID pandemic utilizing local data.

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Published

2023-08-31

How to Cite

Abu Lubad MA, Abu-Helalah MA, Al-Hajaia TS, Al-Hutaibat KA, Aqel AA, Alzoubi H (2023) COVID-19 pandemic impact on antibiotics sensitivity of E. coli and K. pneumoniae from urine specimens: a retrospective study. J Infect Dev Ctries 17:1070–1075. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17615

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Issue

Vol. 17 No. 08: August 2023

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

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