Introduction: Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide concern. No study has ever examined the correlation between ethnicity and antibiotic resistance. We examined those parameters among hospitalized pregnant patients diagnosed with pyelonephritis.
Aims: Should ethnic origin play a role in optimizing antibiotic therapy? To better comprehend, we have chosen a cohort of hospitalized pregnant patients with a pyelonephritis diagnosis.
Methods: A total of 105 cases of patients hospitalized in the Shamir Medical Center between the years 2017-2020 were analysed. Feto-maternal outcomes and antibiotic resistance in relation to ethnicity were plotted statistically using chi-square tests (Arab, 40%; North Africa, 13%; Europe-Ashkenaz,10%; Ethiopia/Iran/Kavkaz/Iraq/other, 3%; Turkey/Uzbekistan/Yemen 2%).
Results: Ethnic groups included Arab (40%), others referred as "None-Arab". The antibiotic resistance panel revealed differences comparing the two largest groups (Arab% VS non-Arab%), whereas there was no correlation between any ethnic group and obstetrics parameter. Arab women were more resistant to ciprofloxacin (33% vs 7%, P= 0.026) and less sensitive to imipenem (60% vs 90.9%, P= 0.03); less sensitive to ceftriaxone and cefuroxime.
Conclusions: There was a correlation between ethnic origin of pregnant patients diagnosed with pyelonephritis and antibiotic resistance. We hope ethnicity, might, in some cases, assist physicians choosing the optimal therapy.