title: Asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asymptomatic bacteriuria is the significant presence of bacteria in the urine of an individual without symptoms. In pregnancy, the apparent reduction in immunity of pregnant women tends to encourage the growth of pathogens.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women attending a primary health centre in Benin City, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1,228 pregnant women were recruited for this study. All subjects were clinically identified to have no signs and symptoms of UTI. Clean catch midstream urine sample was collected from each patient into sterile universal container. The urine samples were examined microscopically and by cultural method. Identification of isolates was by standard microbiological technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 556 (45.3%) were positive for significant bacteriuria. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria with respect to age (P < 0.0001). Trimester did not show any significant difference (P = 0.2006) in the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Escherichia coli was the most predominant organism followed closely by Staphylococcus aureus. Ciprofloxacin, Ceftriaxone and Augmentin were found to be the most effective antibiotics against the urinary isolates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asymptomatic bacteriuria is not uncommon among antenatal patients in the population studied. Routine urine cultural test should be carried out on all antenatal patients in order to identify any unsuspecting infection. This measure will go a long way in reducing maternal and obstetric complications associated with pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, PMB 1111, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Paul Erhunmwunse
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Imade
authors.forename: Patience Emiolu
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Izekor
authors.forename: Nosakhare Odeh
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Eghafona
authors.forename: Onaiwu Idahosa
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Enabulele
authors.forename: Endurance
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ophori