Abstract

This study aimed at determining the bacteriological agents of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in pregnancy and their susceptibility profile to a battery of antibiotics. One hundred and fifty (150) mid-stream clean catch urine samples were collected from pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Gusau. Samples were analyzed by microscopy and culture to isolate and characterize biochemically the etiologic agents of UTI. Out of 150 urine samples collected from the pregnant women, 36.7% were prevalent for UTI with highest prevalence in those aged 25-29 and 35-39 years (50.0%), in middle class (38.4%), third trimester (38.5%) and in polygamy (40.0%). Thirty-three (33) isolates obtained comprise four bacteria namely: Escherichia coli (51.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.1%), and Proteus spp. (15.1%) that were tested for their susceptibility to eight (8) different antibiotics namely: Augmentin (30 μg), Gentamycin (10 μg), Ceftazidime (30 μg), Ceftriaxone (30 μg), Cefuroxime (30 μg), Cloxacillin (5 μg), Erythromycin (5 μg), and Ofloxacin (5 μg), using disc diffusion method. The isolated bacteria showed varying susceptibility patterns to the used antibiotics. All the isolates were generally highly resistant to Cloxacillin, Erythromycin, Ceftazidime, Augumentin, Cefuroxime and Ceftriaxone at 100, 93.5, 92.0, 84.3, 73.9 and 71.6% respectively. Ofloxacin had the highest susceptibility profile to E. coli (76.4%) the dominant isolates, K. pneumonia (85.7%), P. aeruginosa (100.0%), and Proteus spp. (100.0%). Bacteriologic examination therefore should be encouraged in the treatment of UTIs as this will not only indicate the presence of bacteria but also outline the possible appropriate antibiotics to take care of the bacteria.

Keywords: Antibiotic susceptibility, Bacterial agent, Urinary tract infection, Pregnant women, Antenatal clinic