Asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) in patients with diabetes mellitus in Tikur Anbessa Specialized University Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

The risk of urinary tract infection in diabetic patients is higher and the etiology and the antibiotic resistance of uropathogens have been changing over the past years.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria and assess the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates in diabetic patients.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted during June to August 2009 on diabetic in and out-patients in Tikur Anbessa University Hospital. A total of 413 consented adult patients were enrolled in the study. Two consecutive clean-catch midstream urine samples from diabetic subjects were collected for culture. Disc diffusion method was used to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates.

RESULTS

Of the 413 diabetic patients participated in the study, 181 (43.8%) were males and 232 (56.2%) were females. Of these, 107 (25.9%) were type 1 and 306 (74.1%) were type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nine (13.6%) of the symptomatic diabetic patients had bacteriuria compared with 36 (10.4%) of asymptomatic diabetes patients had bacteriuria. The overall prevalence of urinary tract infection in the diabetic patients was 45 (10.9%). The predominant isolates were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated in 6% and 28% followed by 2% and 6% in symptomatic and asymptomatic diabetic patients, respectively. Over 85% of Escherichia coli isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, nitrofuranton, ceftiraxone, norfloxacin and geamicin. Klebsiella pneumoniae were 100% sensitive to ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone. The rate of resistance to two or more antimicrobials was 33 (71.7%).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of urinary tract infection in this study was higher in women than in men. Escherichia coli was frequently isolated in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Over 60% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and tetracycline. Investigation of bacteriuria in diabetic patients for urinary tract infection is important for treatment and prevention of the development of renal complications.