International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

Full Length Research Paper

Urinary tract infection during pregnancy at Al-khoms, Libya

Tamalli. M¹., Bioprabhu Sangar³ and Alghazal, M. A.²

¹Dept. of Microbiology, Science College, Almargeb University, Alkhoms, Libya.

² Dept.of Medical Laboratory, College of Medical Technology, Misurata, Libya. 

³Dept. of Microbiology, Medical College, Almargeb University, Alkhoms, Libya.

*Corresponding author. Email:[email protected]

Accepted 18 June, 2013

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common bacterial infections during pregnancy. Untreated UTI can be associated with serious obstetric complications. To determine the prevalence and identify the etiological agents associated with asymptomatic bacteriurea in antenatal mothers in two private hospitals (Gynecology and obstetrics department) at Alkhoms City, Libya. Anti-microbial sensitivity patterns of the common uropathogen were also determined. A total of 300 pregnant women were enrolled. UTI was diagnosed using mid stream urine culture on standard culture media and urinalysis was done using microscopic examination. The prevalence of bacteriuria among the pregnant women was 30%. It was clear from the results that there was an association of gestational age, education, age, sexual activity, previous history of UTI and socio-economic conditions with bacteriuria. Escherichia coli was the most common (64.4%) bacterial isolate followed by Proteus spps. (16.7%), Klebsiella spps. (13.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosae (5.6). E. coli, Proteus spps. and Klebsiella spps. were highly sensitive to nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin, cefotaxim, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and amikacin. Greater degree of resistance was seen to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole. Pseudomonas aeruginosae isolates were resistant to all tested antimicrobial agents except amikacin and nitrofurantoin. All pregnant women should be screened for UTI with a urine culture, treated with antibiotics if the culture is positive and then retested for cure to prevent complications with all the added benefits to the mother and the fetus. In addition, health education has recommended to all pregnant females specifically those of low socio-economic level.

Key words: Urinary tract infection (UTI), pregnancy, bacteria, antenatal, urinalysis, pregnant women, urine culture.