Trends in Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance of Bacteria Isolated from Urine Cultures of Children in Northern Israel between 2010 and 2017

Objectives: To identify the changing trends of uropathogens over the years 2010-2017 and examine the incidence of both antibiotic resistance and extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in urine cultures from pediatric patients. Study Design: Electronic medical records of 1,056 children, admitted to the Poriya Medical Center in Israel, between 2010 and 2017 with positive urine cultures, were reviewed for bacterial species and antibiotics resistance. Results: The leading pathogen was Escherichia coli (76%), followed by Klebsiella (7%), Enterococcus (5.8%), and Proteus (4%). Statistically significant gender-specific and ethnicity-specific differences in the distribution of uropathogens were found. E. coli was more common in females compared to males. Escherichia coli constituted most (92.3%) of the ESBL-positive cultures, while only 4.6% isolates carried Klebsiella, 1.5% carried Enterobacter spp., and 1.5% carried Morganella. Prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli increased throughout the study period. Increasing prevalence over time was noted for ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, amoxicillin/clavulanate, and ampicillin resistance. Conclusions: Gender and ethnic background should be taken into consideration when choosing empiric antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections in children. Similarly, the continuous increase in resistance to cefuroxime and amoxicillin/clavulanate should be considered when prescribing therapy in Israel. Ceftriaxone and gentamicin are still the antibiotics of choice for inpatient parenteral empiric treatment.