Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in urine of students of Ahmadu Bello University

Abstract

When non-resident pathogenic microorganisms invade and multiply in the urinary tract, it leads to urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs that are not diagnosed and treated early enough can result into some complications. This research determined the prevalence of Escherichia coli  and Klebsiella pneumoniae in asymptomatic students. Mid-stream urine samples were collected from 151 Microbiology students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Structured questionnaires were administered to ascertain some socio- demographic factors. The samples were inoculated onto sterile plates of MacConkey agar and Eosin Methylene Blue agar, incubated at 37^oC for 18-24hr. Pure isolates were identified by Gram staining and biochemical characterization. The isolates were tested against some selected antibiotics. The overall prevalence of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was 3(2.0%) and 1(0.7%) respectively. Both Escherichia coli (3.9%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (0.1%) were isolated only from the female students, and absent in the males. Students within the age group of 16-20 years old had 4.6% Escherichia coli and 1.5% Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, but absent in other age groups. Infections of 2.7% Escherichia coli and 0.9% Klebsiella pneumoniae were found only in students who resided within the school hostels. Only those who used public latrines had infections with Escherichia coli (2.3%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (0.8%). Students that used water to clean up after using the toilet had 2.0% Escherichia coli and 0.7% Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, but no infection among those who used toilet roll. All the infections with the two pathogens were found in students who used backward direction for anal cleaning up. The Escherichia coli isolates were equally most susceptible to Ciprofloxacin (10μg), Pefloxacin (10μg) and Tarivid (10μg). But the Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate was susceptible to most of the antibiotics except Septrin (30μg) and Augmentin (30μg).