This study assessed the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the urinary bacterial isolates from pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic at Abia state University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
Mid-stream urine samples were collected from 100 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Abia state University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria between the ages of 18-49 years. Each specimen was cultured on Cystine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient (CLED) agar using standard bacteriological methods. Identification of suspected colonies and antibiotic sensitivity testing were done.
Thirty-eight samples (38) which represent 38.0% showed significant bacteriuria while 62 samples (62.0%) showed no bacteriuria or no significant bacterial growth. Escherichia coli was found to be the most predominant, (36.8%) followed by Proteus spp, (21.1%), Psedomonas aeruginosa (18.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (15.8%) and the least Klebsiella spp. (7.9%). Nitrofurantoin, Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Gentamicin and Ceftazidime were very effective antimicrobial agents against the isolates while the isolates were highly resistant to Cefexime and Augmentin (Co-amoxiclav).
E. coli was the most common bacteria for asymptomatic bacteruria among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Abia state University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria in this study. Education on the importance of inclusion of urine screening in antenatal care should be emphasized.