Uropathogens
E. coli predominantly causes ASB and UTI; however,
other causative uropathogens such as group B
Streptococcus (GBS) are more often identified in pregnant
women [16].
Currently, GBS bacteriuria in pregnancy receives
more attention because GBS bacteriuria indicates
more heavy colonization than vaginal GBS colonization.
This theory is endorsed by the findings of
Kessous et al. [23&], who demonstrated that GBS
bacteriuria is associated with higher rates of obstetric
complications including intrapartum fever and
chorioamnionitis compared with women with
vaginal GBS colonization or no colonization.
Finally, the authors found that pregnant women
with GBS bacteriuria more often suffered from diabetes
mellitus [23&]. Unfortunately, the implications
for clinical practice are not clear. A recent Cochrane
review [24&] on intrapartum antibiotics for known
maternal GBS colonization concluded that there is
still not enough valid information from the existing
three small, dated and biased trials to inform clinical
practice. However, a recent guideline developed by
the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of
Canada based on articles published before 2011
recommended providing intrapartum antibiotics
when a woman is known to have GBS bacteriuria
of any colony count, to prevent early-onset neonatal
GBS disease