Prevalence and risks of asymptomatic bacteriuria among HIV-positive pregnant women

The objective of the study was to determine whether the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and subsequent complications are higher in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative pregnant women. A prospective controlled study of asymptomatic pregnant women was carried out. One hundred and twenty-fve consecutive HIV-positive women and 247 HIV-negative controls were screened for asymptomatic bacteriuria. Treatment of positive cultures was by means of antibiotics as per protocol. Nine percent (n=11) of HIV-positive patients and 7.9% (n=19) of HIV-negative patients had positive urine cultures (p=0.68). Microorganisms were similar in both groups. The incidence of preterm labour was 6.7% in the HIV-positive cohort, versus 11.3% in HIV-negative control patients (p=0.17). The rate of prelabour rupture of membranes was signifcantly increased in HIV-positive patients compared to HIV-negative controls (17 HIV-positive versus 13 HIV-negative patients, 14.17% and 5.42%, respectively; RR 2.615, 95% CI, 1.314-5.204). CD4+ cell count level <200/mm3 or≥200/mm3 did not infuence the occurrence of ASB. The prevalence of ASB in HIV-positive study patients did not differ from HIV-negative controls.