The impact of the COVID pandemic on the uropathogenic bacterial resistance profile: Experience of the bacteriology lab of the military hospital Avicenne in Marrakech

Abstract

The aim of this study is to define the uropathogenic bacterial resistance and to clarify how the COVID 19 pandemic has affected the development of bacterial resistance. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the bacterial profile and antibiotic resistance status of the main isolates of uropathogens at the laboratory of microbiology at the military hospital Avicenne in Marrakech over the course of two time periods: the first was prior to COVID 19 (January 2019 to February 2020), and the second was one year later (January 2021 to February 2022). Results: In the first phase of the study, out of 4000 ECBU intended for the bacteriology lab, 581 met the criteria for a urinary tract infection. In the second phase of the study, out of 4692 ECBU requested, 590 samples were found to be positive, with a rate of incidence of 15%. For the two times, the Enterobacteries made up 80% of all the isolated bacteria. The total number of multiresistant bacteria (BMR) discovered on the ECBU's isolats during the course of the two study periods is 153, or 6.5% of the total isolats. Conclusion: This study made Escherichia coli the bacteria most implicated in the epidemiology of urogenital infections during the two periods. In the majority of cases, rates of resistance to various antibiotics increased during the COVID pandemic compared to the same time period two years earlier.

Uropathogens’ Antibiotic Resistance Evolution in a Female Population: A Sequential Multi-Year Comparative Analysis

“…presented the lowest sensitivity to cefepime and carbapenems [ 56 ]. Similar research, published in February 2023 and conducted in Morocco [ 57 ], studied uropathogenic bacterial resistance profiles before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. It shows a significant increase in resistance, close to our results, especially for Escherichia coli to amoxicillin and levofloxacin; for Klebsiella spp.…”

Antibiotic Resistance Trends in Uropathogens during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Western Romania: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…To accurately monitor and respond to the evolving landscape of bacterial resistance, systematic surveillance of antimicrobial sensitivity and resistance over time is essential, as the current study aimed for. Preliminary evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced bacterial resistance patterns, likely due to the increased use of antibiotics, which were more freely available during the pandemic [ 48 , 49 ]. Furthermore, consistent with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, antibiotics should not be prescribed for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes in cases of mild to moderate disease without clear clinical indications, to prevent unnecessary escalation of resistance [ 49 ].…”