Phenotypic Detection of Effective Antibiotics against Escherichia coli and Determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of these Antibiotics in Holy Karbala Province

Antimicrobial resistance among microorganisms causes large rates of morbidity, mortality, and financial costs every year. To treat illnesses brought on by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and public health activities to prevent the development of resistance need the identification and understanding of antibiotic resistance. The current study aimed to shed light on the effectiveness of antibiotics against Escherichia coli and the minimum inhibitory concentration of these antibiotics. In this study, 408 samples were collected randomly from different clinical sources; females (63.72%) were most susceptible to various disease and infection than males (36.28%). From total samples 24 isolates were positive for Escherichia coli, from those 18 (75%) samples were obtained from females and 6 (25%) samples from males. These 24 isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility via Vitek2®. All Escherichia coli isolates were multidrug-resistant. All isolated strains of Escherichia coli were 100% resistant to Ampicillin, Piperacillin, and Ticarcillin. Nineteen (79.16%) isolates were reported to be resistant to Aztreonam. Ciprofloxacin resistance was recorded in 18 (75%) isolates. The lowest rate of resistance was recorded for Cefepime, Amikacin, Imipenem, and Meropenem with 8(29.16%), 6(25%), 4(16.67%), and 4(16.67%) resistant rates, respectively. In conclusion to the previous results, penem antibiotics are still the most effective agent among the tested antibiotics.