Abstract
BackgroundBacteriuria is associated with significant maternal and foetal risks. However, its prevalence is not known in our community.ObjectivesThis study was carried out to determine the prevalence and predictors of bacteriuria in pregnant women of the Buea Health District (BHD) as well as the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of bacterial isolates. It also sought to determine the diagnostic performance of the nitrite and leucocyte esterase tests in detecting bacteriuria in these women.MethodsAn observational analytic cross-sectional study was carried out amongst pregnant women attending selected antenatal care centres in Buea. We recruited 102 consenting pregnant women for the study. Demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires. Clean catch midstream urine was collected from each participant in sterile leak proof containers. Samples were examined biochemically, microscopically and by culture. Significant bacteriuria was defined as the presence of ≥108 bacteria/L of cultured urine. Identification and susceptibility of isolates was performed using API 20E and ATB UR EU (08) (BioMerieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France).ResultsSignificant bacteriuria was found in the urine of 24 of the 102 women tested giving a bacteriuria prevalence of 23.5% in pregnant women of the BHD. Asymptomatic bacteriuria was detected in 8(7.8%) of the women. There was no statistically significant predictor of bacteriuria. Escherichia coli were the most isolated (33%) uropathogens and were 100% sensitive to cefixime, cefoxitin and cephalothin. The nitrite and leucocyte esterase tests for determining bacteriuria had sensitivities of 8%, 20.8% and specificities of 98.7% and 80.8% respectively.ConclusionBacteriuria is frequent in pregnant women in the BHD suggesting the need for routine screening by urine culture. Empiric treatment with cefixime should be instituted until results of urine culture and sensitivity are available. Nitrite and leucocyte esterase tests were not sensitive enough to replace urine culture as screening tests.
Highlights
Bacteriuria is the presence of bacteria in the urine
Significant bacteriuria was found in the urine of 24 of the 102 women tested giving a bacteriuria prevalence of 23.5% in pregnant women of the Buea Health District (BHD)
Asymptomatic bacteriuria was detected in 8(7.8%) of the women
Summary
Bacteriuria is the presence of bacteria in the urine. Bacteriuria is said to be significant in the presence of $108 colony forming units (CFU)/L. The danger with bacteriuria is that it does not always present with symptoms [1]. Occult infection occurs in about 2–7% of pregnancies and 30–40% of cases develop acute pyelonephritis later in pregnancy [2]. There are associations between maternal complications of pregnancy and pyelonephritis including hypertension, preeclampsia, anaemia, amnionitis, and endometritis [3]. Pyelonephritis can lead to renal scarring, hypertension and renal failure in the long run [4]. Bacteriuria is associated with significant maternal and foetal risks. Its prevalence is not known in our community
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