Prevalence of Bacterial Urinary Tract Infection among Pregnant Women in Wasit Province in Iraq

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common type of infection during pregnancy. UTI include a spectrum of disorders, ranging from those affecting the lower urinary tract, like asymptomatic bacteriuria and cystitis, to those affecting the kidney, such as pyelonephritis. In pregnancy UTI can lead to preterm labor, anemia and septicemia. Escherichia coli is the most common pathogenic microorganisms associated with UTI and counting up to 60–80% of all UTIs. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) among pregnant women in wasit province. Materials and Methods: Mid-stream urine samples from 100 pregnant women who attending to Al- Shaheed Fairuz hospital and private clinics in wasit province between the periods of March 2024 to July 2024 with the age range of (16-35) years. The urine samples were cultured on MacConkey and blood agars then examined by Macroscopic and Microscopic examination by Gram's stain. The colonies were examined by biochemical tests (Oxidase, catalase, manitol salt agar, novobiocin tests, IMViC) and confirmatory tests (API 20E and API Staph) for isolates. Results: The results showed that the percentage of bacterial growth culture among the pregnant women was 33%. Gram negative bacteria were the higher percentage with (73%). Eschirishia coli bacteria were the most frequently isolated organism (40%) while, the lower percentage for Streptococcus spp. (3%). UTI in pregnant women was commonest in the age group 20-24 years (42%). According to trimesters of pregnancy, the highest percentage of UTI was in third trimester (43%) followed by second trimester (39%), while the the first trimest was the the lowest percentage with (18%). Conclusions: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common during pregnancy. Untreated UTIs can lead to complications such as preterm labor, low birth weight and sepsis. E.coli is the predominant pathogen presently causing urinary tract infections at all stages of pregnancy. Urine culture and sensitivity tests are mandatory for all pregnant women during the different trimesters.