High Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Uropathogens Among Outpatients in Rural Southwestern Uganda

A study conducted in rural Southwestern Uganda found a high prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae uropathogens, particularly Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, causing urinary tract infections (UTIs). The rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in these pathogens has complicated treatment and posed a significant public health challenge. The study found that out of 2371 participants, 455 tested positive for uropathogenic Enterobacteriaceae, with the majority being females. The organisms showed the highest resistance to tetracycline and varying degrees of antibiotic resistance, including carbapenem-resistant strains of E. coli, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter spp. This highlights the urgent need for revised antibiotic prescription practices, strengthened antibiotic stewardship, and continuous surveillance of uropathogen susceptibility patterns to guide effective empirical treatment strategies.