A Study On Prevalence Of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic Of A Tertiary Care Hospital In Bihar

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) commonly occur pregnancy, due to the morphological and physiological changes that take place in the genitourinary tract. Pregnancy enhances the progression from Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (ASB) to symptomatic bacteruria, which could lead to acute pyelonephritis in 20-50% of cases and to adverse obstetric outcomes such as prematurity, postpartum hypertensive disease, anemia, UTIs, and higher foetal mortality rates, if it is left untreated. The objective of this prospective study was to identify the prevalence of ASB, and its most common causative microorganisms among pregnant women who attended a tertiary care centre in Bihar, India. Methodology: This was a prospective study which was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Shri Krishna Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar during a period of one year From January 2021 to December 2021. A total number of 100 pregnant women who attended antenatal clinic during the period of data collection were included in this study. Urine samples were collected by standard mid-stream “clean catch” method from all the pregnant women, in sterile, wide mouthed containers that were covered with tight-fitting lids. The samples were processed by using standard microbiological procedures. The specimens were cultured on dried plates of MacConkey’s agar, Sheep Blood agar (in 5-10% CO2 atmosphere) and Cystine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient agar, by standard loop method and the plates were incubated at 37°C overnight. Culture results were interpreted as significant and insignificant according to the standard criteria. The organisms were identified by routine methods from the samples which showed significant bacteriuria. Result: In our study, culture positive cases with respect to trimester were as follows: first trimester- 5 (55.6%), second trimester- 3 (33.3%), and third trimester - 1 (11.1%). The commonest bacterium which was detected in culture was Escherichia coli. Conclusion: As asymptomatic bacteriuria is associated with complications in pregnancy, it is therefore imperative that pregnant women be screened for bacteriuria, periodically in every trimester of the gestational period.