Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli Isolates from Female Urinary Tract Infection Patients in Lebanon: An Age-Specific Analysis

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a global health concern, with over 150 million cases annually, primarily caused by Escherichia coli. Due to anatomical differences, females, especially children and postmenopausal women, are four times more susceptible. Crucially, E. coli has developed widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including resistance to broad-spectrum agents and the emergence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains. This retrospective study analyzed hospital records from 95 female patients with positive urine cultures at Siblin Governmental Hospital in 2024. Patients were stratified into three age categories: children (≤18 years), adults (18–64 years) and elderly patients (>64 years). Statistical analysis using SPSS focused on descriptive resistance patterns and differences across age groups. Overall, cephalothin (85.7%) and cefaclor (78.49%) exhibited the highest resistance rates. Conversely, tigecycline (97.22%) and ertapenem (91.67%) showed the highest susceptibility. Resistance patterns varied significantly by age. For instance, elderly patients showed high resistance to agents like Augmentin (52.5%) and cefixime (66.1%), while the pediatric group (≤18 years) displayed exceptionally high resistance to cefixime (90.0%). E. coli isolates show high resistance to conventionally used antibiotics, complicating UTI treatment. These findings highlight the need for continuous local surveillance, particularly focusing on third-generation cephalosporins and beta-lactamase production. Ultimately, age is a critical factor that must be considered when determining empirical antibiotic therapy for UTIs.