STM Article Repository

In this study a total of 255 apparently healthy male students of the University of Uyo, aged 17 to 50 years (mean = 26 years) were evaluated for UTI following informed consent. Properly collected midstream urine (MSU) was obtained from each participant and significant bacteriuria determined using surface streak plate method combined with isolation, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Primary culture isolation was on Cystine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient (CLED) medium and significant bacteriuria was considered as 105 CFU/ml of urine sample. The prevalence of UTI was determined as 5.9% (15/225) and the prevalence increased with progressive increase in age, attaining its peak in those aged 24 – 26 years with the prevalence rate of 33.3% (5/15). No UTI was found in those aged 17 years and less, while persons aged 30 years and above had a comparatively lower rate with prevalence rate of 20% (3/15). Escherichia coli had the largest frequency of occurrence with prevalence rate of 26.7% (4/15) among those infected, which was closely followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Proteus sp, Pseudomonas sp and Enterococcus sp with prevalence rate of 20%, 20%, 13.3%, 1%, 1%, 1% respectively. This study reveals a high prevalence rate of UTI with E. coli as the most frequently encountered organism. It also revealed a significant level of susceptible to common antibiotics by Escherichia coli in contrast to a total resistance to all antibiotics exhibited by Klebsiella sp.