📚 Volume 31, Issue 5
📋 ID: cwxC1Xp
Authors
Stela Papa, Klementina Puto, Jorida Lalaj
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana
Abstract
Abstract\nWomen\'s health is of particular importance across the globe. Women serve as the forerunners of entire generations which is a convincing factor why the health of their reproductive organs requires adequate attention to combat vaginal infections, which are the most prevalent of all. Dozens of microorganisms inhabit the vagina, turning it into a complex environment, with some of these posing a risk to women\'s health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the antibiotic resistance of bacterial vaginosis based on its prevalence. The study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2021 at the Microbiologic/Bacteriologic Laboratory of the Regional Directorate of Health in Korça. A total of 3175 women aged 14 to 45, and older, participated in the study. The method employed to assess antibiotic resistance of the most prevalent bacterial infections was the disc diffusion method (a modified version of the Kirby-Bauer method). Consequently, some 2174 women out of a total of 3175, or 67.62% of women resulted having positive vaginal cultures. The highest frequency of infection was observed among women aged 45 years or younger, followed by those aged 36-45 and 26-35. Conversely, a low frequency of infection was noted among those aged 1 to 14. Escherichia coli emerged as the most prevalent bacteria, followed by Staphylococcus spp. Among the most tested antibiotics, pathogenic bacteria exhibited one-fold, two-fold, and multi-fold resistances. However, following the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, E. coli exhibited increased resistance to Azithromycin, which was widely administered during the pandemic. We conclude that in order to mitigate antibiotic resistance and enhance the efficacy of treatment for vaginal infections, it is imperative to alter antibiotic treatment protocols.\nKeywords: antibiotic resistance, vaginal infection, Staphylococcus spp., E coli.
📝 How to Cite
Stela Papa, Klementina Puto, Jorida Lalaj (2024). "Antibiotic resistance of vaginal infection-causing bacteria in the municipality of Korça, Albania". Wulfenia, 31(5).