title: Etiologic profile and antimicrobial susceptibility of community-acquired urinary tract infection in two Cameroonian towns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urinary tract infection (UTI) represents one of the most common diseases encountered in community medical practice. In resource poor settings, treatment is usually empiric due to the high cost and long duration required for reporting diagnosis by culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. With the growing problem of drug resistance knowledge of antibiotic susceptibility pattern is pertinent for successful eradication of invading pathogens. Our study, the first of its kind in Cameroon, analyzed the distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria causing community-acquired urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in two towns (Bamenda and Buea) with a large number of young and middle aged persons, to provide data that could guide empiric treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We cultured 235 urine specimens and analyzed the antibiotic susceptibility of isolates by the disc diffusion technique. Uropathogens were recovered from 137 (58.3%), with prevalence rates in Buea and Bamenda being 65.9% and 54% respectively. Predominant pathogens were Escherichia coli (31.4%), Klebsiella oxytoca (25.5%) and Staphylococcus spp (24.1%). Geographic variation in uropathogen distribution and antibiotic susceptibility was observed, and a significant difference in pathogen distribution with respect to gender. The 20-39 years age group had the highest prevalence of infection. All pathogens isolated were detected in this group. Isolates exhibited low susceptibility to antibiotics tested. Bamenda isolates generally exhibited lower susceptibility compared to those from Buea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regional variation in etiology of CAUTI and antibiotic susceptibility observed in our study emphasizes the need to establish local and national antimicrobial resistance monitoring systems in Cameroon to provide information for the development of CAUTI treatment guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon. jakoachere@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jane-Francis Tatah Kihla
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Akoachere
authors.forename: Suylika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yvonne
authors.forename: Njom Henry
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Akum
authors.forename: Esemu Nkie
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Seraphine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D014504:Urban Health; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents