Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part C (2025)

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a frequent health issue among pregnant women due to physiological changes during pregnancy that make them more susceptible to infections. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and resistance patterns of Gram-negative bacteria associated with UTIs in pregnant women attending the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) in Freetown.

Methods: A cross-sectional, in vitro experimental study was conducted with pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic at PCMH. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and 154 clean-catch midstream urine samples were obtained and cultured in the hospital's microbiology laboratory. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the Vitek 2 compact automated system.

Results: The overall prevalence of UTIs among pregnant women was 27.9%, with the highest occurrence observed in the age group of 16-20 years. The identified pathogens included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli. E. coli was the most prevalent Gram-negative bacterium, accounting for 50% of the isolates. All microbial strains exhibited resistance to ampicillin, while they showed significant susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime.

Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of UTIs among pregnant women, with E. coli being the most isolated pathogen. Notably, all the bacterial isolates demonstrated resistance to ampicillin, highlighting the need for updated treatment protocols in managing UTIs during pregnancy.