COMPARATIVE ACTIVITY OF CRANBERRY AND ANTIBIOTICS IN COMMUNITY ACQUIRED URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Background and Objectives: Urinary tract infection is the most common disease in the community throughout the world and mostly caused by E-coli. Recurrence and antimicrobial resistance are the main associated factors making it problematic for the patients especially the women in all aspects i.e., medically, socially and economically. To minimize the problems of antibiotic resistance and recurrence other remedies have been introduced. Cranberry extract is an alternative herbal preparation free from the side effects of antibiotics, is safe and comparatively cheaper. It is marketed and widely used in the prophylaxis of urinary tract infection in various forms. Its anti microbial activity has also been unmasked. The objective of this study was to compare its anti microbial effect with some common antibiotics, used in the treatment of urinary tract infection. Methods: This study (in vitro) was performed in Ayub Medical College. Urine samples from symptommatic patients of urinary tract infection were collected in sterile containers. Since E-coli is the main causative organism in community acquired urinary tract infection, therefore it was selected for the study. After microscopy 35 culture positive cases of E-coli were isolated on CLED media. Sensitivity against cranberry concentrate was performed by putting its standard solution of 25, 50 and 100 μg dilution in 3 punched holes made in nutrient agar media. Sensitivity procedure of the E-coli isolates against antibiotics was performed by using the standard procedure of Kirby Bauer disc diffusion. Antibiotics used for sensitivity were co-amoxiclav, ciprofloxacin, pipemedic acid and co-trimoxazole. The susceptibility was noted after 24 hours incubation and was measured in the form of zone of inhibition in mm. Results: The antimicrobial activity of cranberry was higher with 100 μg against E-coli than 25 and 50 μg. 100 μg of cranberry revealed significantly high activity than co-trimoxazole and pipemedic acid (p 0.001 and 0.000). The activity of cranberry was significantly low as compared to co- amoxiclav and ciprofloxacin (0.000 each). Conclusion: The present study concludes after comparison that cranberry has better anti bacterial effect on E-coli than co-trimoxazole and pipemedic acid in vitro, however, it was less effective than co-amoxiclav and ciprofloxacin.