Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are common infections mainly caused by Escherichia coli, with rising antimicrobial resistance limiting treatment options in rural Bangladesh. This study assessed resistance patterns of uropathogenic E. coli from UTI patients in Jamalpur. Isolates were identified by standard methods, and susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method following CLSI guidelines. Among the samples, 82 (20.7%) were culture-positive, and 47 (57%) yielded E. coli, with the highest prevalence in patients aged 18-40 years. High resistance was observed to β-lactams, cephalosporins, aztreonam, nalidixic acid, and chloramphenicol (100%). Aminoglycosides remained more effective, particularly netilmicin and amikacin. Carbapenems showed good activity, while trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and nitrofurantoin demonstrated moderate resistance. Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) isolates in rural Jamalpur exhibit substantial resistance to first-line antibiotics, highlighting the urgent need to update empirical treatment guidelines and strengthen AMR surveillance and antibiotic stewardship programs.
Keywords: Escherichia coli, urinary tract infection, antimicrobial resistance, multidrug resistance, rural Bangladesh
05-Sep-2026
