en Epidemiology Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span courier="" new="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Background:</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""> Antibiotic resistance is a critical global issue, particularly in developing countries where high population density and poverty exacerbate the problem. This study examined the prevalence and trends of antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections (UTIs) in western Iran from 2021 to 2023.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span courier="" new="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Materials & Methods:</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""> 2,185 patients with UTI symptoms were sampled at Qaem Clinic. Urine samples were collected and cultured on Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) and blood agar. Bacterial isolates were identified using biochemical tests, and antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed using the standard disc diffusion method.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span courier="" new="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Results:</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""> <i>Escherichia coli</i> was the most prevalent pathogen (56%), followed by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (32%). The study found that 71% of isolated bacteria were multidrug-resistant (MDR), with significant resistance against oxacillin (79%) and cotrimoxazole (60%). Among Gram-negative bacteria, the highest resistance was noted for cephalothin (41%) and cotrimoxazole (36.5%).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span courier="" new="" style="font-family:"><span style="color:black"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Conclusions:</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""> These findings highlight the urgent need to regularly monitor antibiotic sensitivity patterns to inform effective treatment strategies for UTIs. Treatment should be guided by urine culture results to ensure optimal outcomes and address the rising threat of antibiotic resistance.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div> Antibiotic Resistance,Multidrug Resistance,Urinary Tract Infection,Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus, 86 92 http://johe.rums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-909-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mahfam Alijaniha mahfam.alijaniha@gmail.com 22400319475328460013179 22400319475328460013179 Yes PharmD, Clinic Microbiology Laboratory, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. Zanjan University of Medical Sciences Mahdin Alijaniha mahdimirzaalimohammad@gmail.com 22400319475328460013180 22400319475328460013180 No PharmD, Dept. of Microbiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Mahdi Mirzaalimohammadi mahdinalijani@gmail.com 22400319475328460013181 22400319475328460013181 No M.Sc. in Civil Engineering, Dept. of Biostatistics, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran. Semnan University