Antimicrobial Resistance and Implications: Impact on Pregnant Women with Urinary Tract Infections

Abstract

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) is one of the most common infections, especially among women. Presently accessible antibiotics are a clinician’s first line of defense to treat infections, but antimicrobial resistance menace to reduce their efficacy. The consequences of multi-drug resistance to antibiotics are enhanced morbidity and mortality rates. The yearly death toll is >700,000 population worldwide, rising to ~10 million by 2050. There is a lack of novel antibiotics for UTIs as the return on its investment is poor compared to medicines for lifestyle diseases. The three organisms of utmost worry are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenems and third-generation Cephalosporins resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, Fluoroquinolones and third-generation Cephalosporins resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli). Among these, Escherichia coli is the foremost cause of community-acquired UTI infections throughout the globe, mainly due to the absence of alertness and inappropriate wastewater treatment. The purpose of this review article is to explore literature on uropathogens, the pattern of their antimicrobial resistance, and the hospital practices concerning the spread, as inadequate studies have been carried out and published on this topic. Hospital personnel are usually familiar with the management of infections, but most do not understand the conditions in their hospital. Implications of hospital practices play a major role in controlling hospital-acquired UTIs and the burden of its antimicrobial resistance. A complete approach involving financial and human resources will improve the infection control practices in hospitals without a doubt. Strict infection control measures in hospitals can help to reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections in pregnant women.