Gender differences in the microbial spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity of uropathogens isolated from patients with urinary stones

Purpose The characteristics and resistance patterns of urine bacteriology urolithiasis patients between male and female have not been extensively studied. This study aims to investigate the gender differences in microbial spectrum and antibiotic susceptibility of uropathogens isolated from urolithiasis patients and provide insights for appropriate antimicrobial therapies. Materials and Methods We retrospectively collected clinical microbiology data from urine culture in urolithiasis patients between March 2014 and December 2018 in Xiangya Hospital. Then the patients were divided into male and female groups. The microbial spectrum and frequency of susceptibility to antibiotics were compared. Results A total of 359 uropathogen isolates were collected from 335 patients, including 144 males (43.0%) and 191 females (57.0%). E. coli dominated in both groups, indicating higher frequency in females (53.2%) than in males (26.6%, p < 0.001), followed by E. faecalis, with higher frequency in males (15.6%) than in females (2.9%, p < 0.001). Major Gram-negative (E. coli and K. pneumoniae) bacteria showed high sensitivity to cefoperazone/sulbactam, cefotetan, piperacillin/ tazobactam, and amikacin. In contrast, the resistance level was high to penicillin, tetracycline, and vancomycin in both groups. Gram-positive (E. faecalis and E. faecium) isolates demonstrated high sensitivity to gentamicin and vancomycin in both groups. Furthermore, uropathogens isolated from female urolithiasis patients were more susceptible to antimicrobials than males. Conclusions Uropathogen microbial spectrum in female urolithiasis patients is different from males. High susceptibility antibiotics should be used empirically according to gender to avoid multidrug-resistant bacteria increase.

Automated summary

This study found gender differences in the microbial spectrum of uropathogens in urolithiasis patients, with females showing higher susceptibility to antibiotics. It is recommended to use appropriate antimicrobial therapies based on gender to prevent the increase of multidrug-resistant bacteria.