Asymtomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: assesment of prevlence, microbial agents and ther antimicrobial sensitivty pattern in Gondar Teaching Hospital, north west Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women, identify the frequently isolated uropathogenic bacteria and its antimicrobial sensitivity pattern.

Patients and methods: This cross-sectional case series study was conducted in antenatal care clinic of Gondar Teaching Hospital from June-Oct., 2001. One hundred and seventy three pregnant women, who met the inclusion criteria, were included in the study after informed consent was obtained Clinical information pertaining to socio demographic data and obstetric history was filled in the questionnaire, pertinent physical examination was done and urine specimen from each candidate was collected and processed following the standard microbiological technique.

Result: Majority (70-90%) of the pregnant women were literate, housewives, married and residents of Gondar town. Of all pregnant women included in the study, 96/173 (56%) were multigravida, and 21/173 (12%) had 5 or more pregnancies. The identification rate of significant bacteriuria in the study group was 9.8% (17/173) with higher rate (20.5%) in multiparous mothers. The frequently isolated urinary pathogenic bacteria was E. coli, 47% (8/17), followed by S. aureus 3/17 (18%) and C. freundi 2/17 (12%). The majority of E. coli isolates (50-75%) were resistant to gentamicin, Ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol; while 75% and 100% of E. coli isolates were sensitive to cefoxitin, and ciprofloxacin respectively.

Conclusion: Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women was prevalent in the study locality. E. coli was the common isolated urinary pathogen among urine samples of study subjects, and was found to be resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents. We suggest cefoxitin should be the drug used to treat significant bacteriuria in pregnant women in the study locality.