Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Among Pregnant Women With Pre-eclampsia in Women Health Hospital Assiut University

Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that can lead to significant health complications for both the mother and the fetus. Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) occurs when significant amounts of bacteria are present in the urinary tract without causing symptoms such as burning, pain, or fever. Research suggests that persistent, asymptomatic bacterial growth can stimulate inflammatory responses and endothelial dysfunction, which may contribute to or worsen pre-eclampsia. However, local data regarding how frequently this condition occurs among pre-eclamptic women in Assiut remains limited. The primary purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia admitted to or attending the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University. The study also aims to identify the specific bacterial species responsible for these infections, assess their antibiotic susceptibility profiles, and evaluate potential sociodemographic and clinical risk factors. Enrolled participants will be asked to complete a structured interview questionnaire regarding their medical history, obstetric history, and sociodemographic details. Each participant will provide a single clean-catch midstream urine sample for quantitative urine culture and microbiological analysis. Positive culture results will be communicated to the treating clinical team to guide targeted antibiotic management.