A comparative study on the effects of doxycycline, nalidixic acid and meropenem on Escherichia coli in inducing urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections are widely recognized as prevalent bacterial infections frequently encountered in both hospital and community settings. The most common gram-negative bacterial pathogen in humans, extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli, causes these diseases. A retrospective cross-sectional study in Karachi, Pakistan examined Escherichia coli's susceptibility to doxycycline, nalidixic acid and meropenem. One hundred isolates of Escherichia coli from urine samples of patients were collected. The Kirby Bauer disc diffusion testing method was used following CLSI guidelines. The results showed variability because of differences in patient’s gender and age. 84 out of 100 samples were of females and 16 samples were of males. Infection prevalence by age showed that 15% of isolates were from children (0-12 years), 2% from adolescents (13-18 years), 52% from adults (19-59 years) and 31% from seniors. This study concluded that females and adults (aged 19-59 years) are at highest risk of prevalence. Meropenem is a potential antibiotic choice for urinary tract infections due to its demonstrated 100% susceptibility. However, in light of increasing resistance trends, the administration of doxycycline and nalidixic acid should be reserved until antimicrobial susceptibility testing has been conducted. The study ensures that antibiotics are used judiciously and effectively in combating urinary tract infections while minimizing the risk of further antimicrobial resistance development.