Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Thai Pregnant Women with Preterm Delivery: Prevalence, Pathogens and Pregnancy Outcomes

Abstract

Objectives: The primary aim was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in Thai pregnant women with a preterm delivery. The secondary aims were to identify common causative organisms and their antibiotic susceptibilities, and to compare the pregnancy outcomes between ASB-positive and ASB-negative patients. Materials and Methods: The medical records of low-risk pregnant women with a preterm delivery at Siriraj Hospital from January 2014 to May 2020 were reviewed. Patient characteristics, urine culture results, and pregnancy outcome data were recorded. ASB-positive was defined as the growth of at least 105 colony-forming units per milliliter (cfu/ml) isolated from a midstream, clean-catch urine specimen. Results: A total of 826 eligible women were included. The prevalence of ASB was 3% (25/826). The predominant organism was Escherichia coli (E. coli) (48%). All E. coli were susceptible to nitrofurantoin and only 25% were susceptible to ampicillin. No significant adverse outcomes were detected in the ASB-positive group. Conclusion: The prevalence of ASB in Thai pregnant women with a preterm delivery was low. Antibiotic treatment should be based on the common organisms and local antibiotic susceptibility patterns.