Pattern of uropathogens and antibiotic sensitivity in diabetes patients attending to out – Patient department and diabetes clinic of a teaching hospital: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrinological disease associated with different life-threatening infections. Urinary Tract Infection is one of them which may lead to Intensive care Unit admission and even death. In this study, we would like to find out the spectrum of uropathogen and its antibiotic sensitivity, so that we can choose empirical antibiotics early to save lives. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To find out spectrum of uropathogens in Diabetic patients attending to Diabetes Clinic of a tertiary hospital and to find out the Antibiotic sensitivity pattern in isolated bacteria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational hospital-based study, consecutive patients of any age and gender having Diabetes mellitus and symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection, who attended Out-patient Department and Diabetes Clinic of General Medicine Department from August 2020 to October 2020, were included. After taking consent and brief history, mid-stream clean catch urine sample was collected in sterile container and sent to a Microbiology laboratory for culture of micro-organism and sensitivity to antibiotics. RESULTS: Among 202 diabetic patients recruited in our study, 138 (68.31%) were female and 64 (31.69%) were male. The mean age of all participants was 50.23 ± 11.45 years. Culture confirmed UTI was 24.3% and patients showing classic UTI symptoms were 32.7%. Compared to male, most of the culture-positive and symptomatic patients were female (26.0% and 37% respectively). Culture-positive patients who showed classic UTI symptoms were 42.42%; however, we found 15.44% asymptomatic patients who showed culture positivity. The mean HbA1c level was 7.5 ± 1.6%. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with HbA1c >7.5% were at a significantly higher risk of developing culture-positive UTI (P < 0.00001, Odds ratio 21.71). Prevalence of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria were 65.3% (32 out of 49) and 28.57% (14 out of 49), respectively. The major organism isolated were Escherichia coli (39%), Klebsiella spp. (19%), Enterococcus spp. (12%), Staphylococcus aureus (12%), and Candida spp. (6%). The sensitivity pattern of the gram-negative bacilli showed the presence of Extended-spectrum betalactamases (ESBLs) in 36.84% (11 out of 32 isolates). The bacteria grown were most sensitive to Piperacillin-tazobactam (100%), Cefoperazone-sulbactam (100%) and Meropenem (100%) whereas Fluoroquinolone and Co-Amoxyclav showed least sensitivity (43.8% and 37.5% respectively). The Staphylococcus spp. showed 100% sensitivity to Vancomycin, Teicoplanin, Linezolid whereas Penicillin-G and Ampicillin showed 12.5% sensitivity. The Enterococcus spp. revealed 100% sensitivity to Vancomycin, Teicoplanin, Linezolid, and Fosfomycin. Drug resistance is emerging in clinical isolates. Prevalence of ESBL in Enterobacteriacea was found to be 34%. CONCLUSION: All patients with diabetes must be searched for urinary tract bacterial colonization by simple routine urinary culture even though they are asymptomatic. Resistance to common antibiotics, particularly to oral formulations (especially Fluoroquinolones and Ampicillin) is increasing day by day due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics. This study highlighted that the policy makers should formulate antibiotic policy for rational use of antibiotics, which could help clinicians to prescribe proper antibiotics. However, regular monitoring of susceptibility pattern of urinary pathogens is essential.