The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the bacterial agents that
cause urinary tract infection in catheterized patients at Zagazig University Hospital
and to assess the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Proteus mirabilis isolates against
various antimicrobial agents used for treating urinary tract infections in the spate of its
recorded increasing resistance patterns.Urine specimens were obtained from
catherized patients suffering from a urinary tract infection (UTI). The different
isolates obtained were identified by conventional microbiological methods.The
antibiotic susceptibility profile of Proteus mirabilis isolates was determined by agar
dilution method. Patient's medical records showed significant increase in incidence of
catheter associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) upon prolonged catheterization,
among immunocompromised patients and patients with concomitant chronic diseases,
elderly patients and female gender.
The frequency of the obtained isolates was Eschersheia coli (33%), Klebsiella
pneumoniae (14%), Enterococcus faecalis (13%), Proteus species (10.2%),
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10%), Staphylococcus aureus (10 %) and unidentified
gram positive cocci (9.8%). 90% of the Proteus isolates were Proteus mirabilis. The
resistance of P. mirabilis isolates were highest against Nalidixic acid,
Ampicillin/Sulbactam, Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftazidime and cefuroxime
(95.5%-57.8%). Lower resistance rates of P. mirabilis were found against amikacin,
levoflxacin, ciporofloxacin and gentamicin (2.2 % -17.8 %). While P.mirabilis
isolates were 100% sensitive to Imipenem. In conclusion, Imipenem is recommended
to be used as an empirical treatment of CA-UTI caused by P. mirabilis.