Prevalence, aetiology and antibiotic sensitivity profile of asymptomatic bacteriuria isolates from pregnant women in selected antenatal clinic from Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is the presence of bacteria in urine without apparent symptoms of urinary tract infections. The importance of asymptomatic bacteriuria lies in the insight it provides into symptomatic infections. To determine prevalence, bacterial isolates and Antibiotic Sensitivity Profile of asymptomatic bacterial urinary tract infection in pregnant women in selected clinics in Nairobi.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving women attending antenatal clinic at selected clinics of Nairobi County. The women who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The midstream urine samples of these women were subjected to microscopy, culture and sensitivity.Results: A total of 1020 of women on their first antenatal clinic visit participated in the study; 219 of them had ASB, giving a prevalence of 21.5 % at 95% confidence level. Escherichia coli were the common organism isolated at 38.8%. The majority of the organisms were sensitive to imipenem and gentamycin.Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of ASB among pregnant women included in the study from the Nairobi county clinics. Therefore, routine ASB screening of pregnant women is recommended among the women attending antennal clinics in Nairobi county clinics

Laboratory Capacity in 2012 for Diagnosis of Epidemic Prone Diseases in the Context of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response in the WHO African Region

This paper provides the status of laboratory capacity for diagnosis of epidemic prone diseases in the context of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) in 46 countries in the WHO African Region as of end of 2012 through self-assessment questionnaires. The findings from this assessment revealed that 98 (45/46) of the countries have the capacity for isolation; identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of common bacterial causes of enteric diseases and meningitis in the Region. Forty three countries performed standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for confirming suspected cases of pathogens such as Morbillivirus responsible of measles through the detection of specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and 30 countries had at least polymerase chain reaction (PCR) capacity for detection of influenza viruses. However; the number of countries with an appropriate department of virology providing comprehensive diagnostic services is still limited especially for dangerous viral pathogens requiring high-level containment facilities. The collection and analysis of critical information on the existing diagnostic capacity were used to propose key recommendations for strengthening the laboratory confirmation of outbreaks in line with the IDSR Strategy and the International Health Regulations (IHR; 2005). The proposed key actions were focused in the following areas: high-level advocacy for country ownership; human resource development; laboratory space and equipment; quality assurance and laboratory networking