Determination of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnancy

Purpose: The study sought to ascertain the relationship between asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) in pregnancy and the clinical profile, causative organisms, and antibiotic resistance pattern.

Methods: The study included 500 pregnant women who came in for regular antenatal care. Clinical information was gathered and recorded in the pretested proforma. The urine culture was performed using standard techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns were established after identifying isolates.

Results: Significant bacteriuria was found in 42 women out of 500. (8.4%). Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated organism (64.3%), followed by Klebsiella spp (11.9%). The most effective antibiotics against the urinary isolates were found to be fosfomycin (100%) and nitrofurantion (92.6%).

Antibiotics such as ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, and norfloxacin, which were used to treat urinary tract infections (UTI), have shown increased resistance. There was no statistically significant relationship found between the occurrence of bacteriuria and the clinical profile of pregnant women, such as age, trimester, gravidity, and parity status.

Conclusion: In pregnant women, asymptomatic bacteriuria is not uncommon. To detect and treat it, routine urine cultures and antibiotic susceptibility testing are required. The antibiotics of choice for treating UTI in pregnant women are oral Nitrofurantoin and Fosfomycin.