Abstract

Among the great diversity of etiological agents attributed to urinary tract infections, bacteria are the major causative organisms that are responsible for more than 95% of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).  This study aimed at investigating the pattern of bacterial contamination of urine in patients attending Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 64 urine samples were aseptically obtained from consented pregnant women, renal failure, sickle cell and diabetic patients attending RSUTH at monthly interval for three (3) months and analyzed for urinary tract bacteria using standard microbiological procedures. Results revealed that, of the 64 urine samples studied, 40 (62.5%) had bacterial growth. A total of 127 bacteria were isolated and identified. Species identified and frequencies were; Bacillus cereus (59.4%), Escherichia coli (25%), Staphylococcus species (23.4%), Klebsiella pneumonia (29.7%), Micrococcus species (17.1%), Alcaligenes pieces (15.6), Seratia species (12.5%), Pseudomonas species (9.4%), and Proteus species (6.3%). Socio-demographic information on the prevalence of bacteria within each study population showed pregnant cases recorded 24(75%) while sickle recorded 12 (58.3%), renal failure 15 (53.3%) and, diabetics 13(53.8%). Bacterial prevalence in pregnant subjects based on occupation showed business 11(84.6%), students 3(60%), and civil servant 4(66.7%); for sickle cell subjects, business 1(50%), student 6(60%) and civil servant 0(0%)., renal failure subjects showed business of 2(66.7%), student  3(60%), civil servant 3(42.8) and for diabetic subjects; business 1(33.3%), student 3(60%) and civil servant 3(60%).  Pregnant subjects recorded highest prevalence 18(75%) at the occupation level. Marital status showed, single 17(80.9%%), married 1(33%), and divorced 0(0%) for pregnancy subjects, for sickle cell subjects, single 6(54.5%), married 0(0%), and divorced 1(100%)., for renal failure single 5(83.3%), married 2(25%), and divorced 1(100%), for diabetics, single 4(57.1%), married 1(25%), and divorced 2(200%). All the isolates were positive for biofilm production and haemolytic activity. These findings highlights the need for routine urine culture screening in high-risk groups (pregnant women and sickle cell patients) as early detection and treatment of UTI can significantly reduce associated complications.