Antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli in urine samples from children and adults: a 12 year analysis

• Published in: Acta Paediatrica 2004-04, Vol.93 (4), p.487-491
• Main Authors: Storby, K Abelson, Österlund, A, Kahlmeter, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antimicrobial resistance; Biological and medical sciences; children; Colony Count, Microbial; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Errors of metabolism; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Escherichia coli - isolation & purification; Escherichia coli Infections - drug therapy; Escherichia coli Infections - epidemiology; Escherichia coli Infections - microbiology; General aspects; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lipids (lysosomal enzyme disorders, storage diseases); Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors; Urinary system involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous; urinary tract infections; Urinary Tract Infections - drug therapy; Urinary Tract Infections - epidemiology; Urinary Tract Infections - microbiology; Urinary tract. Prostate gland; Urine - microbiology
• ISSN: 0803-5253; 1651-2227
• DOI: 10.1080/08035250410023034

Aim: To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract pathogens, primarily Escherichia coli, in two age groups, children 2 y and adults 18‐50 y, over a period of 12 y. Methods: From the database of the microbiological laboratory all urinary tract culture data were extracted and structured according to date, patient age, bacteriological findings, antimicrobial susceptibility results and sample type. Statistical longitudinal analysis of bacteriological findings and antimicrobial resistance trends in the two age groups were performed. Results: Statistical significance was obtained for the following results. Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen in both age groups and irrespective of sample type. In E. coli resistance to ampicillin and trimethoprim was higher in children than in adults and increased over time in both age groups. Resistance to fluoroquinolones was higher in adults than in children and increased over time in both groups. Resistance to pivmecillinam, cefadroxil and nitrofurantoin was below 2% in 2001 in both age groups. Conclusion: The steadily increasing and now high E. coli resistance levels in children to ampicillin and trimethoprim render empirical therapy with these drugs doubtful. The stable and low levels of resistance to pivmecillinam, cefadroxil and nitrofurantoin (>2% in 2001) make these drugs reasonable alternatives in uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections.