Keywords
diabetes
urine culture
antimicrobial resistance
Kinshasa
How to Cite
Abstract
Diabetes is frequently complicated by urinary tract infections (UTIs), and rising antimicrobial resistance increasingly undermines treatment effectiveness, especially in African settings. To estimate UTI frequency among diabetic patients in Kinshasa, identify causative pathogens, and describe their antibiotic resistance profiles. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at AKRAM Hospital Center (Matete, Kinshasa) from January 15 to November 20, 2025, including 125 diabetic patients with urinary symptoms. Midstream urine samples were processed for culture/identification and disk-diffusion susceptibility testing on Mueller-Hinton agar, interpreted using CLSI/EUCAST criteria. Women accounted for 60.8% of participants; the 46-60-year age group was the most represented (32%). Cultures were sterile in 57.6% of cases. Among positive cultures, Escherichia coli was the most frequent pathogen (17.6%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (7.2%) and Citrobacter diversus (6.4%). Overall, 60.4% of isolates were resistant to tested antibiotics. UTIs in diabetic patients in Kinshasa remain common and are associated with high antimicrobial resistance. Culture and susceptibility testing should guide therapy, alongside strengthened antibiotic stewardship.
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