Abstract:
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that can have a positive impact
on gut health and potentially influence various aspects of the body's immune and inflammatory
responses. Multi-drug resistant urinary tract infections (MDR-UTIs) are a concerning health issue, as
they are more challenging to treat due to the limited effectiveness of antibiotics. Probiotics have been
studied for their potential role in preventing and managing UTIs, including MDR-UTIs, although the
research in this area is still evolving
Objectives: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of uropathogens causing
urinary tract infections (UTIs), their pattern of antimicrobial resistance and evaluating the recurrence of
urinary tract infections after taking probiotics
Methods: This research was conducted in Oran and involved the examination of 182 urine
specimens, of patients suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections, obtained from a private
laboratory. Fully automated VITEK 2 compact system was used in the identification and antimicrobial
susceptibility testing of causative microorganisms. To assess the recurrence of these infections, 91
patients took oral probiotics for one month, and the others did not.
Results and discussion: Antimicrobial resistance was seen both in Gram-positive and Gram
negative bacteria. Multiple resistances were high among the isolated urinary pathogens. Particularly, E.
coli, Enterobacter cloacae and Staphylococcus aureus, which had very high resistance rate to the tested
antimicrobial agents. The recurrence of urinary tract infections in patients who took probiotics in
addition to antibiotics decreased by 40%, unlike those who only took antibiotics.
Conclusion: Although prophylactic antibiotics remain the preferred preventive treatment in
recurrent UTIs, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance worldwide has made the development of non
antibiotics strategies a priority. The idea is that probiotics may help maintain a balanced and healthy
urinary tract microbiota, making it less susceptible to infection
