ABSTRACT

Urinary tract infection (UTI) constitutes a major health problem in pregnant women. It is more common in this group due to the anatomical and physiological changes that occur during pregnancy. This study was undertaken to characterize antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolated from pregnant women in Umuahia. A total of 250 mid stream urine samples from pregnant women in different trimesters were analyzed and cultured on cystein lactose electrolyte deficient (CLED) agar and MacConkey agar. Isolation and identification of Escherichia coli was done by Gram staining and biochemical analysis. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The prevalence rate of UTI in the study population was observed to be 32%. The prevalence of   Escherichia coli among positive isolates was (59) 73.7%. Majority (117) of those with Escherichia coli present in their urine presented at the second trimester (52.5%) while 23 (39.9%) presented at the third. Only 17 (6.8%) of the studied subjects were in their first trimester and 5 (8.4%) of those had Escherichia coli present in their urine. Among all those that had   Escherichia coli, 64.4% of them were aged 25-34 years. However, there was no significant relationship (P>0.05) between age or trimester and presence of Escherichia coli, which signify that bacteriuria is independent on age and trimester in the study population. The relationship between those that had previous case of UTI and presently had Escherichia coli was found to be statistically significant at (P<0.05). Escherichia coli isolated from the pregnant women showed 100% resistance to amoxicillin and tetracycline. Imipenem and gentamicin should be the antibiotic of choice for treating UTI in the study area because they showed sensitivity of over 70%. Thirty, 30 (50.8%) of the Escherichia coli isolates showed potential to produce biofilm. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production among Escherichia coli isolates was found to be 12 (20.3%) while 2 (3.4%) isolates produced chromosomal ambler C (iAmpC). Out of 10 highly resistant Escherichia coli isolates, 4 had plasmid. Screening of pregnant women for possible UTI at early stage of pregnancy should be considered an essential care in the study environment to avoid complications in pregnancy.