Antibacterial Resistance Patterns of Urinary Escherichia coli Isolates in Taiz City, Yemen

Background: Antibacterial resistance is a major threat to health, leading to reducing the efficacy of antibacterial agents against infections caused by bacteria. The most causative of bacterial UTIs, especially in Yemen, is E. coli bacteria.


Objective: The current study aimed at evaluating the percentage rate and potential causes of isolated urine E. coli resistance to some conventional antibacterial drugs in Taiz city, determining which is the most effective, and comparing the results with other studies.


Methods: Thirty urine-isolated E. coli from laboratories in Taiz City, Yemen, were collected, and susceptibility tests to determine the E. coli resistance against some conventional antibacterial drugs were performed. After incubation for 24 hours, the diameter of the inhibitory zones was measured, and the results were recorded. Finally, the average and percentage rates were calculated.


Results: The result was as follows: Highest susceptibility to nitrofurantoin (90% S), with no resistance (0% R). Complete resistance to cefotaxime (100% R), contrasting sharply with ceftriaxone (26.7% R). Alarming levofloxacin resistance (56.7% R). Intermediate sensitivity to co-amoxiclav (56.7% I), suggesting dose-dependent efficacy. High resistance (56.7% R) with low sensitivity (33.3% S) to co-trimoxazole.


Conclusion: In Taiz City, the current study demonstrates E. coli resists the conventionally used antibiotics that were previously considered the most effective antibiotics used for its UTIs, particularly cefotaxime (100% R) and co-trimoxazole (56.7% R). Nitrofurantoin remains highly effective, while ceftriaxone and levofloxacin have variable susceptibility.