Urinary tract infection during pregnancy at Al-khoms, Libya

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.