# Microbiological profile and epidemiological perspective on urinary tract infections (UTIs) in a tertiary medical center in Western Mexico

## TL;DR

This study examines the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of urinary tract infections in a Mexican hospital, highlighting the need for better infection control and stewardship.

## Contribution

The paper provides novel insights into the microbiological profile and resistance patterns of healthcare-associated UTIs in a tertiary hospital in western Mexico.

## Key findings

- Healthcare-associated UTIs accounted for 80.6% of cases, with Escherichia coli being the most common bacterial isolate.
- High antimicrobial resistance was observed, including multidrug-resistant strains like Providencia rettgeri and Acinetobacter baumannii.

## Abstract

Urinary tract infections are among the most frequent healthcare-associated infections and represent a major public health challenge due to their increasing antimicrobial resistance. Data from tertiary-care hospitals in Mexico remain scarce. This study aims to describe prevalence and microbiological profile of healthcare-associated UTIs in a tertiary medical facility in western Mexico.

A cross-sectional study included all UTI cases recorded from January to December 2024. Data was obtained from the institutional epidemiological surveillance platform (INOSO). Descriptive statistics were applied using measures of central tendency, proportions and confidence intervals. Antimicrobial resistance profiles were analyzed using automated Vitek® testing for Antibiotic susceptibility testing and mass spectrometry for pathogen identification.

A total of 376 patients were included (mean age 52.9 years; 53.2% women). Healthcare-associated UTIs represented 80.6% of cases. Monthly incidence displayed a multimodal pattern with peaks in April and October. Nephrology, Cardiology, and Neurosurgery accounted for >50% of cases. Among 120 isolates, bacteria comprised 70.8%, mainly Escherichia coli (35.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; fungal isolates (29.2%) were predominantly Candida albicans. Extensive drug resistance was observed in Providencia rettgeri (resistant to all tested antibiotics) and Acinetobacter baumannii.

UTIs in a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico exhibit high prevalence, multimodal temporal dynamics, and alarming antimicrobial resistance. Continuous surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and targeted infection-control strategies are urgently needed in high-risk hospital units.