Emacar, JacintaOkemo, P. O.Gatheri, G.Kariuki, S.2012-10-242012-10-242010Journal of Applied Biosciences 27: 1705 - 17141997–5902http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5815Objectives: To determine changes in antibiotic resistance patterns in E. coli from persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Methodology and results: A total of 264 strains of E. coli were isolated from PLWHA. The isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion technique. Out of the 216 (81.81%) E.coli from PLWHA and taking antibiotics (HIV+A+), 209-(96.76%), 198-(91.67%) and 188- (87.04%) isolates were resistant to trimethoprim-sulphamethazole, tetracycline and ampicillin respectively. All isolates from PLWHA not taking antibiotics(HIV+A-) were sensitive to fluoroquinolones and nalidixic acid but thirty nine (83.33%) of the them were resistant to trimethoprim-sulphamethazole.The most prevalent resistance was to trimethoprim-sulphamethazole and ampicillin. Conclusion and application of findings: prolonged exposure to antibiotic makes PLWHA harbour strains of E. coli that are significantly more resistant to antibiotics with varying resistance patterns. The findings of this study should have major implications on public health policy guidelines on managing antimicrobial resistance in PLWHA, antimicrobial resistance detection modules and intervention schemes. It can also help in planning regular monitoring of antibiotic resistance patterns in order to provide the basis for developing rational prescription guidelines. Key words: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, opportunistic infections, antibiotics, Escherichia coli, resistanceenAcquired immunodeficiency syndromeopportunistic infectionsantibioticsEscherichia coliresistanceArticle