Magnitude and Characteristics of Urinary Tract Infection among Caritas University Students: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Fifty (50) students residing in the campus of Caritas University Amorji-nike Enugu were examined for significant bacteriuria indicative of urinary tract infections using cultural methods. Analysis of their clean cached mid-stream urine samples revealed that 24 (48%) students (both males and females) have significant bacteria, 16 (32%) indicated insignificant bacteria while 10 (20%) were negative because they showed no growth. The twenty-four (24) bacterial isolates were tentatively characterized into five genera namely Escherichia coli (33.33%), Klebsiella pneumomia (29.17%), Proteus mirabilis (20.83%), Staphylococcus aureus (12.5%), Pseudomonas saureoginosa (4.17%). Factors responsible for frequent cases of UTI among diagnosed women include shortness of urethra among the females, lack of personal hygiene, sexual intercourse, socio-economic challenges in various homes and others.  Invitro antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that the gram negative bacteria were sensitive to quinolones (Ofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Pefloxacin), while the gram positive isolates were sensitive to erythromycin, levofloxacin, Gentamicin, Clindamycin and quinolones (Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin). Nitrofurantoin, Ampicillin, Ampiclox and Augmentine used in this study, were poorly effective, therefore, the use of the quinolones which includes Ofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin and Pefloxacin is highly recommended for UTI cases.