Title: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Antibiotics Susceptibility pattern of Escherichia coli Isolated from Women of Reproductive age attending the Laquintinie hospital Douala, Camroon
Abstract:
Background: Infection with Escherichia coli and most especially pathogenic Escherichia coli is a serious public health issue in women of reproductive age and resistance to commonly used antibiotics is emerging. Limited information exists in Cameroon on the prevalence of Escherichia coli in women of reproductive age and resistance patterns to antibiotics. The overall aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors and antibiotics susceptibility pattern of Escherichia coli isolated from women of reproductive age attending the Laquintinie hospital Douala, Cameroon
Methods: A cross sectional hospital-based study was conducted in the Laquintinie hospital Douala during the period of March to April 2022. A total of 102 women of reproductive age (16-46 years) were recruited for the study. Two vaginal swab specimens were collected from each participant. All vaginal specimens were cultured for E. coli isolation using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed on all isolates using disc diffusion technique. The results were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). P values < 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: Overall, 36 (35.3%) women had Escherichia coli infection. The infection was higher in pregnant (42.2 %) than non-pregnant women (29.8 %) (P = 0.216). History of abortion was significantly associated to Escherichia coli infection (P= 0.008). Meropenem (77.8%) and amikacin (77.8 %) revealed high level of sensitivity whereas high resistance rates were observed for amoxicillin clavulanic acid (75%) and ceftriazone (69.4 %).
Conclusion: There was high prevalence of Escherichia coli infection in women of reproductive age. Meropenem and amikacin could serve as drug of choice. There is a need to observe proper personal hygiene to control the spread of resistant Escherichia coli strain and control antibiotics usage.
