RESUMEN
Background:Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in outpatients in Nigeria. However, antimicrobial drug resistance is a challenge in the treatment of UTIs and therefore, there is need for drug resistance surveillance to guide treatment. Aim:This study assessed the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of UTIs in a Nigeria population.Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study involving hospital outpatients.Place and Date of Study: The study was conducted between September 2012 and February 2013 at Madonna University Teaching Hospital, Elele, Nigeria Methodology: Urine sample collected from 115 randomly selected patients was screened by microbial culture for the presence of microbial pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done for the identified isolates to assess the effectiveness of some selected routinely used antibiotics. Results:Among the 115 subjects, bacteria growth was observed in 49 subjects giving a prevalence of 42.6%. UTI was slightly higher in females (44.8%) than in males (40.4%). A total of 9 bacteria isolates of the following genus; staphylococcus, klebsiella, pseudomonas, Escherichia, enterococcus and proteus specieswere identified among which Staphyloccus aureuswas the most prevalent. Ampicillin was the most effective antibiotics, followed by ciprofloxacin and erythromycin. Staphylococcus aureus,other Staphylococcus speciesand Escherichia coliwere the most susceptible isolates. Most microbial pathogens were resistant toNitrofurantoin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acidand amoxicillin.Conclusion: Urinary tract infection showed a high prevalence of 42.6% which was predominant in females. Staphylococcus aureuswas the most prevalent bacterial isolate. Ampicillin was the most effective antibiotics followed by ciprofloxacin while most pathogens were resistant to nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acidand amoxicillin.