Background: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a strain of E. coli
commonly associated with urinary tract infections. In addition, antibiotic
resistance in UPEC is one of the most significant health problems. This study
was conducted to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and
factors linked to uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in pregnant women.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted within a hospital setting
between August 2022 and December 2022. Using consecutive convenient
sampling, the research enrolled 220 pregnant women. The urine samples
obtained from these women were cultured on MacConkey and blood agar
and incubated at 37°C overnight, followed by sub-culturing on Mueller
Hinton media. Bacterial identification involved Gram staining and biochemical
characterization (TSI, indole, citrate, methyl red, urea agar, and motility tests).
Conversely, susceptibility tests were performed using the Kirby–Bauer disk
diffusion method. A binary logistic regression model and analysis of odds ratios
(ORs) were employed to evaluate the risk factors associated with E. coli infection,
and statistical significance was attributed to p-values of ≤0.05.
Results: Out of the 220 urine samples examined, 42 (19%) exhibited a positive
culture, indicating an E. coli infection in pregnant women. Our analysis revealed
that income, gestational age, and history of UTIs were identified as risk factors
associated with E. coli infection. Most E. coli isolates demonstrated sensitivity
to amikacin (100%), nitrofurantoin (85.7%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and
meropenem (83.3%).
Conclusion: The prevalence of E. coli was remarkable. It could be recommended
that pregnant women in antenatal care have routine culture and antimicrobial
susceptibility tests to prevent transmission of resistant pathogens and
complications in both pregnant mothers and the unborn baby