Prevalence of Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections and Antimicrobial Sensitivity Among Pregnant Women in Anbar Governorate.

Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is recognized to be a prominent source of uropathogens in women worldwide. Urinary tract infection in pregnant women continues to cause clinical issues, which is a significant load on clinicians. Objective: The study aims to investigate the frequency of bacterial urinary tract infections among pregnant women and assess the susceptibility of these pathogens. Method: Urine samples 65 were collected from pregnant women in Anbar Governorate, were identified utilizing colony characteristics the organisms' gram stain response, biochemical assays Susceptibility testing aligns to the standard techniques defined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute guideline. Results: In this study, 95% (60 out of 65) of urinary tract infections (UTIs) were culture-positive. Among the identified bacteria, six distinct types were observed. The most prevalent Gram-negative isolate was Escherichia coli, accounting for 88.3% of cases, followed by Proteus mirabilis at 1.6%. Gram-positive bacteria were also identified, with Staphylococcus aureus representing 6.6% and Streptococcus at 3.3% of cases. E. coli showed resistance to ciprofloxacin (50%), norfloxacin (19%), ceftriaxone (90%), ampicillin (89%), meropenem (10%), and nitrofurantoin (60%). Staphylococcus aureus exhibited resistance to ciprofloxacin (73%), norfloxacin (35%), ceftriaxone (50%), ampicillin (71%), meropenem (8%), and nitrofurantoin (45%). Proteus mirabilis displayed resistance to ciprofloxacin (46%), norfloxacin (16%), ceftriaxone (62%), ampicillin (90%), meropenem (25%), and nitrofurantoin (33%). Streptococcus showed resistance to ciprofloxacin (43%), norfloxacin (54%), ceftriaxone (37%), ampicillin (88%), meropenem (30%), and nitrofurantoin (87%). Conclusion: Majority UTIs were caused by Gram-negative bacteria, especially E. coli. Resistance to ampicillin, nitrofurantoin, and ciprofloxacin was common, while norfloxacin and meropenem showed sensitivity. Regular urine culture during pregnancy is vital to lower UTI risk and antibiotic resistance.