Prevalence and Causative Organisms of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria among Pregnant Women in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: During pregnancy, urinary tract experiences various anatomical as well as physiological changes which lead to the development of urinary tract infections. Of these, asymptomatic bacteriuria is prevalent during pregnancy and the adverse outcomes could include intrauterine growth retardation, pyelonephritis, preterm delivery, low birth weight, hypertension, and anaemia. Hence, screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria should be included in antenatal care. Objectives:To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and the frequency of different organisms causing asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women attending the outpatient department at Dow University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the obstetric outpatient department (OPD) of Dow University Hospital, Karachi for six months. A total of 161 pregnant women with no clinical symptoms of urinary tract infection were included in this study. The method of urine sample collection was explained to all the enrolled participants. After collection, samples were labeled and processed. The result of the urine cultures was available after three days and was entered in the Performa. Participants with positive culture reports were treated according to the antibiotic sensitivity. Results:The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women was found in 17% (SD=0.61) with maximum prevalence in the age group of ≤25 years among primigravidae. The common organisms responsible for urinary tract infection in asymptomatic pregnant women were Escherichia coli (39.3%), Klebsiella pneumonia (17.9%), Staphylococcus spp. (17.9%) and Enterococcus spp. (14.3%). Conclusions & Recommendations:As asymptomatic bacteriuria is associated with complications in pregnancy; hence it is essential that pregnant women should be screened for bacteriuria, regularly in every trimester of the gestational period.

Pattern of microbial flora and antibiotic sensitivity among healthy adults with bacteriuria in a university community in south-eastern Nigeria

“…Schmiemann et al 26 also reported that E. coli caused most of the cases of complicated and uncomplicated UTI. In a study among pregnant women in Pakistan by Tabinda et al 27 the most common cause of asymptomatic bacteriuria was also E. coli followed by Klebsiella and Staphylococcus spp. These are similar to what was found in our study.…”

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnancy Causes and Incidence

“…10,11 However, even higher gures were quoted from Saudi Arabia (32.1%) Iraq (42.9%) and Nigeria (37.1%). 12,13,14 Frequency as low as 3.3% has been quoted from India. 15 16,17,18,19 Another study has shown an upward trend of ASB among multiparous women of advanced age.…”