DETECTION OF MULTIDRUG RESISTENCE OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA FROM URINE SAMPLE OF GERIATRIC PATIENTS ATTENDING SPECIALIST HOSPITAL SOKOTO

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic uropathogen, poses significant therapeutic challenges due to intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms. This study aimed to detect the multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa from urine samples of geriatric patients attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 71 urine samples from patients aged ≥65 years with suspected UTI. Samples were cultured on CLED agar, and isolates identified using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed via Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method following CLSI 2018 guidelines. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test (P < 0.05 significant). Significant bacteriuria (≥10⁵ CFU/mL) was observed in 68% (n=48/71) of samples. Among 61 isolates, Staphylococcus species were most prevalent (44.3%, n=27), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.3%, n=13), Klebsiella species (18.0%, n=11), and E. coli (16.4%, n=10). The distribution was statistically significant (χ² = 13.376, df = 3, P = 0.0039). All 13 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were multi-drug resistance. Highest sensitivity was to Streptomycin (61.5%), while Augmentin showed 100% resistance. Resistance to 1st/2nd generation cephalosporins was 92.3%, 3rd generation cephalosporins 84.6%, and fluoroquinolones 69.2%. Aminoglycosides had the lowest resistance (46.2%). Geriatric UTIs in Sokoto are predominantly healthcare-associated, with Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as dominant multi-drug resistance pathogens. Empirical therapy is unreliable; culture-guided treatment and robust antibiotic stewardship are imperative.