PREVALANCE OF MULTI DRUG RESISTANT BACTERIA IN THE URINE OF PREGNANT WOMEN (A PILOT STUDY)
Abstract
Multidrug resistance of uropathogens constitutes an important public health problem, especially for pregnant patients, who, due to their particular physiologic state, are more prone to developing urinary tract infections. The aim of the research was to investigate antibiotics and plasmid profile in multi-drug resistant bacteria from urine sample of pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 29 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Hope Hospital. Urine samples were collected and cultured using standard microbiological techniques. For different age group bacteria count ranged from 31.57×〖10〗^3(21-30 age group) to 8.00×〖10〗^3 (10-20 age group). Bacterial isolates discovered included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterococcus spp., Bacillus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. In all samples, significant amount of bacterial growth were observed. The most frequent isolate was Escherichia coli with 55% while the least frequent was Klebsiella spp. 2%. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Bacteria were found to exhibit varying degrees of resistance to commonly used antibiotics with the most resistant bacteria being E. coli (1.0 MRI) while the least resistance was Bacillus spp. (0.8 MRI). Plasmid profile revealed the presence of plasmid in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Bacillus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial sensitivity after plasmid curing revealed increased sensitivity to antibiotics as a result of antibiotics removal. Resistant gene aph(2")-If gene was detected in Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Bacillus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. Hemolysin gene was detected in Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. This pilot study reveals a concerning prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the urine of pregnant women, highlighting the need for routine screening in antenatal care.
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