Assessment of the Bacterial Profile and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Outcomes among Pregnant Women with Urinary Tract Infection at Tripoli, Libya

Hussam Aboharba; Suleiman Aljard; Mohamed Elsaid; Ranem Alhijaji; Maram Dhaw; Ghofran Sager; Farah Alseleney; Khuloud Ajaj

doi:10.54361/ajmas.269763

Authors

Hussam Aboharba Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zawia, Az Zawiyah, Libya. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5586-783X
Suleiman Aljard Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8181-8688
Mohamed Elsaid Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4948-9893
Ranem Alhijaji Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2310-7145
Maram Dhaw Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4579-1155
Ghofran Sager Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1294-2877
Farah Alseleney Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3528-2565
Khuloud Ajaj Community Medicine/Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7572-1041

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54361/ajmas.269763

Keywords:

Urinary tract infection, UTI, Antibiotics, Antimicrobial resistance, Libya.

Abstract

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is considered the most common bacterial infection among pregnant women. UTIs during pregnancy are responsible for substantial maternal and fetal complications. Two-thirds of pregnant women with UTI require effective antibiotics to treat this condition. This study was conducted to describe the bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among pregnant women with urinary tract infections in Tripoli, Libya, in 2025. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted across multiple centers, healthcare facilities, and diagnostic laboratories in Tripoli, Libya, over six months from January to June 2025. After obtaining ethical approval from selected centers, this study included 143 pregnant women who were diagnosed with urinary tract infection and underwent a urine culture test during that time period. The data were encoded and analyzed using a computerized program of SPSS version 26. In this study, the most frequent maternal age was 43.36% (62), between 17-25 years. The majority of cases were multigravida, accounting for 76.93% (110), while 23.07% (33) of them were primigravida. Most cases were in the second trimester, accounting for 43.36% (62). The most predominant uropathogen was E. coli, which accounted for 33.56% (48), followed by 18.18% (26) identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Almost all uropathogens had good sensitivity to Gentamicin and imipenem, as well as some of them to ceftriaxone. Frequent antibiotic resistance to Nitrofurantoin, Amoxicillin, Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid, and Ciprofloxacin was detected, particularly among E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In summary, the most frequent uropathogen among pregnant women was E. coli (33.56%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.18%). The majority of uropathogens exhibited the highest sensitivity for Gentamicin, imipenem, and ceftriaxone, which suggested effective treatment outcomes when clinically indicated. Conversely, notable resistance patterns to commonly prescribed antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin, Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid, and Ciprofloxacin, reflecting the ongoing global concern regarding antibiotic misuse and the emergence of multidrug-resistant uropathogens. Several factors suggested to be implicated in this condition include younger age, Multigravidity, second trimester, and suspected overuse of antibiotics that leads to multidrug resistance. Therefore, early detection of urinary tract infection for high-risk cases is an essential approach to achieve optimal effective management outcomes and to reduce adverse perinatal outcomes.