1 research outputs found
Vaginal infections among pregnant women at Omdurman Maternity Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan
Microbial infections of the vagina (vaginosis and
vaginitis) among pregnant women are serious
problems because they can lead to serious medical
co
mplications such as preterm labor, amniotic fluid
infection, premature rupture of the fetal membranes,
and low birth weight of the neonate [1], leading to
high prenatal mortality [2]. However, proper
identification and treatment will reduce the risk of
pre
term birth and its consequences [3]ntroduction: Microbial infections of the vagina in pregnant women are health problems that lead to serious medical complicat
ions and
consequences. This study aimed to investigate and determine antimicrobial susceptibilities of the causative agents of vagi
nal infections in
pregnant women.
Methodology: A cross
-
sectional study of pregnant women (n = 200) was conducted between August and December 2008 at Omdurman
Maternity Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. Vaginal and cervical swabs were obtained from each subject a
nd processed for isolation and
identification of pathogenic microorganisms using standard methods of wet mount preparation, direct Gram smear, Nugent scorin
g system,
direct immunofluorescence, and cultural techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing o
f bacterial isolates was performed using standard
procedures. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS program version 12.0.1. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically si
gnificant.
Results: Of the 200 pregnant women enrolled, BV was detected in 49.8%,
followed by
Chlamydia trachomatis
(31.3%) and
Candida
albicans
(16.6%), with low frequencies of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
(1.8%) and
Trichomonas vaginalis
(0.5%). Higher infection rates were
recorded among subjects in the third trimester (71.6%) than in the s
econd trimester of gestation (28.4%). No significant association (p = 0.7)
between history of abortions and
C. trachomatis
infections was found. Gentamicin was the most active agent against Gram
-
positive and
Gram
-
negative bacteria. Clarythromycin was the m
ost active against
Mycoplasma
species.
Conclusions: Pregnant women with vaginal complaints revealed various positive microbiology results. Such cases may require sp
ecific
medication. Routine culture of vaginal and cervical samples should be performed on a
ll pregnant women during prenatal visits