Asymptomatic Bacteriuria among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Sudan

Abstract

Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common during pregnancy due to the apparent reduction in immunity of pregnant women, which appears to encourage the growth of both commensal and non-commensal microorganisms. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria and identify the causative organisms among pregnant women. Methods and Results: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Ibrahim Malik Teaching Hospital and Bashaier University Hospital from April to July 2019 to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women. Fifty urine specimens were collected from pregnant women who didn’t show any signs or symptoms of UTI. Clean-catch mid-stream urine was collected into a sterile, universal container. Bacteriological culture and bacterial identification were carried out. The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women in this study was 12%. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the most frequently isolated organisms: 2/6(33.3%) and 2/6(33.3%), respectively, followed by Proteus species 1/6(16.7%) and Klebsiella pneumonia 1/6(16.7%). Asymptomatic bacteriuria tended to increase from the first to the third trimester (1/8.3%, 2/11.1%, and 3/15%, respectively), but without statistical significance (P=0.845). We also found a trend to increase in the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria with decreasing age: 2(15.4%) in the age group of 18-25 years, 3(11.5%) in the age group of 26-33 years, and only 1(9.1%) in the age group of 34-41 years (P=0.890). Conclusion: Periodic urine cultures should be performed routinely throughout pregnancy, especially during the first and third trimesters, to identify any unsuspecting unsuspected infection. Bacterial counts are of the most importance and should be done routinely. This measure will significantly reduce maternal and obstetric complications associated with pregnancy.