Asymptomatic bacteriuria in antenatal patients in ilorin, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria, bacteriology and sensitivity pattern in Ilorin using the gold standard of urine culture. METHODS A prospective study was carried out from 1st July to 31st October 2007, at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) on 125 consenting asymptomatic pregnant women. A structured proforma was used to collect information from the women and a midstream urine specimen collected for bacteriological culture. RESULTS Of the 125 pregnant women, 50 had bacteriuria on urine culture giving a prevalence of 40%. The mean age of the women was 28.5 years with a standard deviation of 4.95. The age ranged between 14 and 40 years. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest pathogen isolated (72%), followed by Proteus spp (14%). Most of the organisms showed good sensitivity to Nitrofurantoin and gentamicin. CONCLUSION The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in Ilorin is high and routine urine culture is advocated for all pregnant women at booking.