INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is frequently diagnosed in medical practice and the isolation of resistant strains in non-hospitalized patients is increasingly common. Our objective was to evaluate the frequency and resistance of uropathogens in the city of Presidente Prudente, Brazil, between January 2006 and December 2007. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective investigation into the etiology and resistance patterns of uropathogens. RESULTS: The most frequent uropathogen was E. coli (65.97%). There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of E. coli according to the age group. Ampicillin and nitrofurantoin showed, respectively, smaller and larger inhibitory power against enterobacteria. However, 88.4% of Proteus mirabilis showed resistance to nitrofurantoin as well as wider resistance pattern. Resistance rates to ceftriaxone suggest production of ESBL. DISCUSSION: Our data are similar to those found in other studies. It is important that the local medical community should be acquainted with these findings as well as data from future studies that can detect changes in etiology or resistance pattern in our region. This monitoring is an important tool for the update of empirical therapy. CONCLUSION: The data reported herein show that the etiology of urinary infections is very similar to those found worldwide. Nonetheless, the resistance pattern of uropathogens may have different characteristics according to the history of antimicrobial consumption in each community. Thus, it is important that epidemiological data are regularly published to aid the medical community.
Urinary tract infection; Urine culture; Antimicrobial resistance
