Abstract 

Dental caries is a widespread infectious disease influenced by bacterial activity, dietary factors, and host 

susceptibility. Community water fluoridation has been a key public health measure for caries prevention, 

particularly in children. The optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water (0.7 mg/L) balances caries 

reduction with minimal fluorosis risk. This study assessed fluoride levels in drinking water and their 

correlation with dental caries in primary school children in Gharyan, Libya. A cross-sectional study was 

conducted on 350 children (aged 7–10 years) from urban and rural schools in Gharyan. Water samples from 

five stores and one groundwater source were analyzed for fluoride concentration using an ion-selective 

electrode. Dental caries was assessed using the dmft/DMFT index. Fluoride levels in water stores were 

negligible (0.0–0.1 mg/L), while unfiltered groundwater exhibited high concentrations (6.0–7.0 mg/L), 

exceeding WHO guidelines (1.5 mg/L). The low fluoride availability in most drinking sources suggests 

limited caries-preventive effects from water fluoridation in this region. The study highlights insufficient 

fluoride exposure in Gharyan’s public water supply, potentially contributing to higher caries prevalence. 

Further research is needed to evaluate alternative fluoride delivery methods and assess groundwater safety 

to optimize oral health outcomes.

Keywords. Fluoride Concentration, Drinking Water, Dental Caries, Primary School.

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are considered the most widespread bacterial infections and among the most common nosocomial infections, second only to lower respiratory tract infections. The risk of developing a UTI increases with age, making UTIs among the most commonly diagnosed infections in elderly people, representing a significant public health problem. This study aimed to isolate and detect the microbial responsible for urinary tract infections in elderly individuals and determine their resistance patterns and sensitivity to antibiotics among Libyan patients in Tripoli city. The study was conducted simultaneously in Alsharik, Eltafoq, and Ibn Al Nafis laboratories in Tripoli, Libya, during July and August 2024. One hundred and one urine samples were collected from elderly participants suffering from UTI symptoms (38 males and 63 females), with ages ranging from 60 to 97 years. Isolation, biochemical identification, and antibiotic susceptibility analyses were performed. Thirteen antibiotics were testedin this study. Among the 101 isolated samples from elderly patients with suspected UTI, females had a higher prevalence of bacterial infections (62.4%) compared to males (37.6%). The highest number of infections was in the 60–69 years age group (45.4%). Gram-negative organisms accounted for 91.1% of isolates compared to Gram-positive organisms. Escherichia coli was the most common organism isolated (43.6%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.7%). Most isolates were resistant to Ampicillin (31.7%) and Amoxicillin (23.8%), followed by Tetracycline (10.9%). The Gram-positive organisms Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were most susceptible to Amoxicillin, Amikacin, and Meropenem, with sensitivity rates of 75%, 66.7%, and50%, respectively. E. coli was more susceptible to Imipenem (25%), Amikacin (22.7%), and Nitrofurantoin (13.6%), whereas Amoxicillin and Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim showed lower efficacy. Gram-negative bacteria were the main cause of UTIs in the study population, mainly belonging to the E. coli and Klebsiella families. Age and gender were significant factors in determining UTI etiology, and considering these factors can improve the accuracy in identifying causative uropathogens and guide empirical treatment.Keywords:UTI, Antibiotic Resistance, Sensitivity Antibiotics, Uropathogenic E.Coli

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