Fosfomycin susceptibility of uropathogens at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital

Sensitivity Profile of Fosfomycin, Nitrofurantoin, and Co-trimoxazole Against Uropathogens Isolated From UTI Cases in a Secondary Care Center, KSA

Background Fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, and co-trimoxazole are cheap and effective first-line oral antimicrobials in cases of uncomplicated cystitis in males and non-pregnant females. Fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin are called urinary antiseptics because these two drugs are primarily excreted in the kidney and concentrated in the urine without systemic effect. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro activities of fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, and co-trimoxazole against uropathogens isolated at King Khalid Hospital Al-Majmaah, KSA. Methods The study was conducted at the King Khalid Hospital Al Majmaah, KSA, from September 1, 2021, until February 28, 2022. The patients' urine samples were inoculated on the Cystein Lactose Electrolytes Deficient (CLED) medium, and uropathogens were isolated. The organisms' identification and sensitivity testing against cotrimoxazole, fosfomycin, and nitrofurantoin was conducted using a Microscan automated analyzer, the MicroScan WalkAway Beckman Coulter, Sacramento, CA, USA. Results The study comprised non-repeat 137 patients who were either admitted to the hospital or treated as outpatients, yielding a total of 147 isolates. Nitrofurantoin showed a lower resistance rate, around 20% (n = 29), followed by fosfomycin at 23% (n = 34). The resistance rate of cotrimoxazole was 43% (n = 63). Overall, nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin showed relatively lower resistance against all isolates. Conclusions Being cheap and effective, we propose that fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin be used as first-line treatments in patients presenting with uncomplicated UTIs.

Trends in the epidemiology of urinary tract infections in pregnancy at a tertiary hospital in Johannesburg: Are contemporary treatment recommendations appropriate?

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common during pregnancy and are associated with maternal and foetal complications. Empiric antibiotic choices in pregnancy require consideration of efficacy and safety, resulting in limited oral options. With rapidly evolving antibiotic resistance, surveillance to guide empiric treatment recommendations is essential.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of urine culture isolates from the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) Obstetrics Department for 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020 was performed.

RESULTS

The top 3 pathogens were Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. For E. coli susceptibility to cefuroxime declined (95% to 81%, p < 0.0001). Similarly, the E. coli extended spectrum beta-lactamase rate increased from 5% to 10% (p = 0.04). E. coli susceptibility to nitrofurantoin (93%) and fosfomycin (96%) remained high. In 2019, carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae emerged. Ampicillin susceptibility was high amongst the E. faecalis isolates. Amoxicillin-clavulanate demonstrated high levels of activity against the top 3 uropathogens.

CONCLUSION

The Essential Drug List recommended antibiotics for lower UTIs, nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin, are appropriate empiric options for E. coli, the most common uropathogen in the CMJAH obstetric population. The high rate of E. faecalis susceptibility to nitrofurantoin reported from other Gauteng tertiary obstetric patients, suggests that nitrofurantoin will provide adequate empiric cover for a large proportion of UTIs. However, the determination of the E. faecalis nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin susceptibility rates in the CMJAH obstetric population will provide useful data. Periodic surveillance at the various levels of antenatal care in different regions of South Africa and the determination of risk factors for infections with resistant uropathogens is needed.

Etiology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Pathogens Associated with Urinary Tract Infections among Women Attending Antenatal Care in Four South African Tertiary-Level Facilities, 2015-2019

In South Africa, uncomplicated community-acquired UTIs (CA-UTIs) are treated empirically; however, the extent of antibiotic resistance among these pathogens is not well known. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of women attending ANCs at four tertiary public-sector hospitals in Gauteng. Female patients aged 15-49 years, with urine cultures performed between January 2015 and December 2019, were included. A case of culture-confirmed UTI was defined as any woman with ≤2 uropathogens with a bacterial count of ≥105 colony-forming units per ml for at least one pathogen. We identified 3558 cases of culture-confirmed UTIs in women with a median age of 30 years (interquartile range; 25-35). E. coli accounted for most infections (56% (1994/3558)), followed by E. faecalis, with a prevalence of 17% (609/3558). The prevalence of K. pneumoniae was 5% (193/3558), 5% (186/3558) for S. agalactiae, and 5% (179/3558) for P. mirabilis. Ninety-five percent (1827/1927) of the E. coli and 99% of the E. faecalis (301/305) isolates were susceptible to nitrofurantoin. Common uropathogens showed high susceptibility to first-line antibiotics, gentamicin and nitrofurantoin, as recommended for use in primary healthcare settings. Overall, our study provided an indication of the level of antimicrobial resistance in the four facilities.