M. Elsayed, S. Wagdy, S. Samy, M. Fahim, S. Afifi, N. Elguindy, A. Kandeel
Ministry of health, Cairo, Egypt.,
Egypt
Keywords: Uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC), urinary tract infections (UTIs), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), COVID-19 pandemic
Summary:
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is accounting for 80% of community-acquired and 50% of hospital-acquired infections. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common cause of UTI. Egypt has been conducting an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance for different pathogens based on CDC guidelines. The aim of this study is to evaluate the change in the resistance of community-acquired UPEC due to antibiotic misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in UPEC resistance to the commonly used antibiotics suggests that COVID-19 may contribute to the silent pandemic of AMR. All efforts should be made to monitor and enhance antibiotic stewardship and policy.