Bacteriuria of women of child bearing age

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common diseases encountered worldwide. In this study, urine samples were collected from thirty women of child bearing age (18-25 years) to determine the prevalence of bacteriuria, as well as the presence of pus cells and white blood cells which are signs of infection. The urine microscopy result revealed that 7 (23.3%) of the sample had greater than 10 leucocytes per high power field. Only four of the samples had a significant number of pus cells. The bacteria count recorded ranged from 25 cfu/0.001 ml to 276 cfu/0.001 ml. Of the samples, 13 were positive for bacteriuria having bacterial count greater than 100 cfu/0.001 ml. The bacteria isolates include Klebsiella spp. (3.8%), Streptococcus spp. (2.5%). Escherichia coli (62.5%) and Staphylococcus spp. (21.2%). Of these, Klebsiella spp. was the least prevalent and Escherichia coli had the highest number of occurrence. These organisms were very sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Pefloxacin, Zinnacef and Gentamycin according to the antimicrobial susceptibility test carried out. Ciprofloxacin was found to be the most effective antibiotics against all the bacterial isolates. Here, zones of inhibition ranged from 15 mm (Streptococcus spp.) to 20 mm (Escherichia coli). All the bacterial isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin, with zones of inhibition between 11 (Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp.) and 13 mm (Streptococcus spp.). Since the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria is high, early diagnosis and proper treatment is necessary in order to prevent it from becoming symptomatic.