URINARY TRACT INFECTION AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PROFILE OF UROPATHOGENS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN
Main Article Content
Keywords
The keywords used were Urinary tract infection, pregnancy, uropathogens, antibiotic susceptibility, bacteriuria, nitrofurantoin, and fosfomycin.
Abstract
Background: UTIs are considered to be among the most common types of bacterial infections during pregnancy and can lead to adverse maternal and child outcomes, including pyelonephritis, preterm birth, and low birth weight. It is crucial to comprehend the risk factors and prevalence of antibiotic susceptibility of the uropathogens in pregnant women so that one can be able to offer effective and safe clinical care.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to find the incidence of bacteriuria in pregnant women, predictive demographic and clinical factors of such infection, as well as the profile of susceptibility to antibiotics of single uropathogens.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinics. Data regarding demographic characteristics, clinical history, and symptoms were collected by use of a validated questionnaire. Cultures were done in midstream urine, and a significant bacteriuria was defined as 10. The isolates were characterized through the common microbiological tests, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was done through the use of the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test according to the CLSI guidelines. The normality, reliability, and validity tests were carried out, followed by an independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-square test of independence, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression tests.
Results: The reliability of the questionnaire was excellent (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.812), and the validity measures were decent (KMO = 0.713, p< 0.001 = Bartlett). Compared to the other groups, group comparisons revealed significant associations of culture positivity and demographic variables, which were age (t = 2.45, p = 0.015), trimester (F = 4.12, p = 0.008), education (H = 6.37, p = 0.041), and past UTI history ( H 2 = 10.56, p = 0.005). Pearson correlation showed good and significant correlation between the age, parity, trimester, and previous UTI and the outcomes of the cultures (p < 0.05). Logistic regression had determined that age (OR = 1.16, p = 0.005), trimester (OR = 1.23, p = 0.002), and parity (OR = 1.19, p = 0.004) were predictive factors of bacteriuria. The sensitivity of nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin to E. coli and Klebsiella spp. was high, whereas pre-existing agents were moderately sensitive.
Conclusion: UTIs have become a significant problem in pregnant women, particularly in the aged and multiparous women in the later trimesters and with a history of previous infection. Safe and effective management is compulsory for the regular screening, culture confirmation, and making use of the local antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin can still be regarded as first-line therapy in pregnancy. Enhanced surveillance and entrenching certain interventions in the antenatal care will result in a drastic shift in the maternal and neonatal outcomes.
References
2. Adjei, S. K., & Adjei, P. (2025). Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Uropathogens: A Retrospective Study at a Primary Care Hospital in Ghana. Health Science Reports, 8(7), e71029.
3. Al-Shehari, W. A., Edrees, W. H., Al-Awar, M. S., Ahmed, A. M., & Al-Hadheq, A. A. (2025). Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Uropathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Pregnant Women, Yemen. Al-Razi University Journal for Medical Sciences, 9(2).
4. Ali, A. H., Reda, D. Y., & Ormago, M. D. (2022). Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of urinary tract infection among pregnant women attending Hargeisa Group Hospital, Hargeisa, Somaliland. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 1419.
5. Asmat, U., Mumtaz, M. Z., & Malik, A. (2021). Rising prevalence of multidrug-resistant uropathogenic bacteria from urinary tract infections in pregnant women. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 16(1), 102-111.
6. Balaji, V. K., Anto, P., & Indernath, S. (2025). Bacteriological and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Uropathogens from a Tertiary Care Hospital. Journal of Neonatal Surgery, 14(29s).
7. Belete, M. A. (2020). Bacterial profile and ESBL screening of urinary tract infection among asymptomatic and symptomatic pregnant women attending antenatal care in the northeastern Ethiopian region. Infection and drug resistance, 2579-2592.
8. Belete, M. A., & Saravanan, M. (2020). A systematic review on drug-resistant urinary tract infection among pregnant women in developing countries in Africa and Asia, 2005–2016. Infection and drug resistance, 1465-1477.
9. Bhargava, K., Nath, G., Bhargava, A., Kumari, R., Aseri, G., & Jain, N. (2022). Bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of uropathogens causing urinary tract infection in the eastern part of Northern India. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 965053.
10. Derebe, M. M., Paladhi, U. R., Workneh, F., Munshea, A., Yismaw, G., Yibeltal, K., Fasil, N., Worku, A., Gebreyesus, T., & Tafere, W. (2025). Urinary tract infections among pregnant women in rural West Amhara, Ethiopia: Prevalence, bacterial etiology, risk factors, and antimicrobial resistance patterns. Research Square, rs. 3. rs-5737078.
11. Diorio de Souza, H., Hase, E. A., Knippel Galletta, M. A., Rodrigues Mota Diorio, G., Lippi Waissman, A., Pulcineli Vieira Francisco, R., & Zugaib, M. (2021). Urinary bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility in pregnant adolescents and pregnant low-risk obstetric risk adult women. Infection and drug resistance, 2829-2841.
12. Dube, R., Al-Zuheiri, S. T. S., Syed, M., Harilal, L., Zuhaira, D. A. L., & Kar, S. S. (2022). Prevalence, clinico-bacteriological profile, and antibiotic resistance of symptomatic urinary tract infections in pregnant women. Antibiotics, 12(1), 33.
13. Edin, A., Tilahun, D., Jara, B. A., & Ayele, A. (2025). Bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of uropathogens among suspected patients attending Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital, southern Ethiopia. Frontiers in Bacteriology, 4, 1439865.
14. Edrees, W. H., & Anbar, A. A. M. (2020). Prevalence and antibacterial susceptibility of bacterial uropathogens isolated from pregnant women in Sana'a, Yemen. PSM Biological Research, 5(4), 157-165.
15. Ejerssa, A. W., Gadisa, D. A., & Orjino, T. A. (2021). Prevalence of bacterial uropathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among pregnant women in Eastern Ethiopia: hospital-based cross-sectional study. BMC Women's Health, 21(1), 291.
16. Elarusy, N., Alarosi, N., Mohammed, A., & Khapoli, I. (2025). Drug Susceptibility Patterns of Uropathogen Isolates from Suspected UTI Patients Attending Zawia Medical Center, Libya. AlQalam Journal of Medical and Applied Sciences, 352-358.
17. Elmanefi, E. S., Bozakouk, I. H., Bleiblo, F. A., & Bumadian, M. M. (2021). Bacterial Profile of urinary tract infections and Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among pregnant women at the Benghazi Medical Centre, Benghazi/Libya. Scientific Journal of University of Benghazi, 34(2).
18. Fosu, K., Quansah, E., & Dadzie, I. (2019). Antimicrobial profile and asymptomatic urinary tract infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Ghana.
19. Gebremariam, G., Legese, H., Woldu, Y., Araya, T., Hagos, K., & GebreyesusWasihun, A. (2019). Bacteriological profile, risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of symptomatic urinary tract infection among students of Mekelle University, northern Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 19(1), 950.
20. Gena, M. E., Bitew, G., Chane, E., Cherie, N., Berta, D. M., Demoze, L., Walle, M., Boru, K., Tilahun, D., & Teketelew, B. B. (2025). Bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of urinary tract infection among diabetic patients at Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 24112.
21. Ifrah, A. A., Ishimwe, M. P. S., Batista Cedeño, C. A., Emmanuel, E., & Hakizimana, T. (2025). Susceptibility profile and associated factors of urinary tract infections among women with established preterm labor delivering at a tertiary teaching hospital in Eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25(1), 117.
22. Joya, M., Aalemi, A. K., & Baryali, A. T. (2022). Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of the common bacterial uropathogen among UTI patients in the French Medical Institute for Children. Infection and drug resistance, 4291-4297.
23. Kebede, D., Shiferaw, Y., Kebede, E., & Demsiss, W. (2025). Antimicrobial susceptibility and risk factors of uropathogens in symptomatic urinary tract infection cases at Dessie Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. BMC microbiology, 25(1), 126.
24. Koffi, K. A., Aka, E. K., Apollinaire, H., Britoh, A. M., & Konan, J. M. P. (2020). Epidemiological, bacteriological profile, and bacterial resistance of urinary tract infections in pregnant women in prenatal consultation in an African setting. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 9(2), 461-468.
25. Mahshouri, P., Alikhani, M. Y., Momtaz, H. E., Doosti-Irani, A., & Shokoohizadeh, L. (2025). Analysis of phylogroups, biofilm formation, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and molecular typing of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from patients with recurrent and non-recurrent urinary tract infections. BMC Infectious Diseases, 25(1), 267.
26. Mastura, R. R., Bain, R., Moonwara, M., & Ferdaus, F. (2025). Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns in Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Among Young Females. Asia Pacific Journal of Surgical Advances, 2(2), 93-98.
27. Matalka, A. A., Al-Husban, N., Alkuran, O., Almuhaisen, L., Basha, A., Eid, M., Elmuhtaseb, M. S., & Al Oweidat, K. (2021). Spectrum of uropathogens and their susceptibility to antimicrobials in pregnant women: a retrospective analysis of 5-year hospital data. Journal of International Medical Research, 49(5), 03000605211006540.
28. Mohapatra, S., Venugopal, S. J., Kalaivani, M., Kant, S., Tak, V., Panigrahy, R., Chunchanur, S. K., Kocher, D., Behera, B., & Pundir, S. (2022). Antibiotic resistance of uropathogens among the community-dwelling pregnant and nonpregnant females: a step towards antibiotic stewardship. BMC Infectious Diseases, 22(1), 939.
29. Naqid, I. A., Hussein, N. R., Balatay, A., Saeed, K. A., & Ahmed, H. A. (2020). Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of uropathogens isolated from female patients with urinary tract infection in Duhok province, Iraq. Jundishapur J Health Sci, 12(3), e105146.
30. Ngong, I. N., Fru-Cho, J., Yung, M. A., & Akoachere, J.-F. K. T. (2021). Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, and associated risk factors for urinary tract infections in pregnant women attending ANC in some integrated health centers in the Buea Health District. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1), 673.
31. Odindo, D. A., Ochieng, B., Onduru, F., Ouma, C., Onguru, D., & Awandu, S. S. (2025). Etiology of asymptomatic bacteriuria, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in western Kenya. PLOS Global Public Health, 5(3), e0004347.
32. Olufadi-Ahmed, H. Y., Aliyu, A., David, M. S., Kola-Mustapha, A. T., & Diyaolu, A. H. (2019). Antibiotic susceptibility profile of uropathogens isolated from pregnant women in selected hospitals in Ilorin. Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 15(1), 45-51.
33. Omidifar, N., Taghi, E., Mohebi, S., & Motamedifar, M. (2020). Distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens causing urinary tract infection in pregnant women in Shiraz, Southwest Iran. Gene Reports, 20, 100731.
34. Orji, O., Dlamini, Z., & Wise, A. J. (2022). Urinary bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern among pregnant women in Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Johannesburg. Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases, 37(1), 343.
35. Sardar, M., Devi, L., Khandait, M., Borah, S., & Sharma, M. (2023). Profile of Uropathogens and their Antibiogram in Pregnant Women with Suspected Urinary Tract Infections. Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Care, 10(3), 89-96.
36. Taha, A. B. (2024). Bacteriological profile, antimicrobial susceptibility, and factors associated with urinary tract infection in pregnant women. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 18(03), 391-398.
37. Tebabal, A. T., Yayehrad, A. T., Siraj, E. A., Abie, D. D., Bayleyegn, H. A., Teshome, A. T., Astatekie, B. G., Zeleke, S. A., Setargew, S. T., & Tessega, S. K. (2025). The prevalence and susceptibility patterns of uropathogens in a private teaching hospital: A six-year retrospective study at GAMBY teaching hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Urologia Journal, 03915603251316700.
38. Teferi, S., Sahlemariam, Z., Mekonnen, M., Tamrat, R., Bekana, T., Adisu, Y., & Darge, T. (2023). Uropathogenic bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates among gynecological cases admitted to Jimma Medical Center, South West Ethiopia. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 7078.
39. Trinchera, M., Midiri, A., Mancuso, G., Lagrotteria, M. A., De Ani, C. A., & Biondo, C. (2025). A four-year study of antibiotic resistance, prevalence, and biofilm-forming ability of uropathogens isolated from community-and hospital-acquired urinary tract infections in southern Italy. Pathogens, 14(1), 59.
40. Tula, A., Mikru, A., Alemayehu, T., & Dobo, B. (2020). Bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of urinary tract infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care at a tertiary care hospital in southern Ethiopia. Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, 2020(1), 5321276.
41. Waheed, A., Mumtaz, A., Arshad, A., Yousaf, Z., & Akhtar, R. (2025). Frequency of urinary tract infections and antimicrobial susceptibility profile among pregnant females. The Professional Medical Journal, 32(01), 119-124.
42. Zwane, T., Shuping, L., & Perovic, O. (2021). Etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens associated with urinary tract infections among women attending antenatal care in four South African tertiary-level facilities, 2015–2019. Antibiotics, 10(6), 669.
Article Sidebar
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
