Background and Objectives: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is a major factor for the development of urinary tract infections. In addition to complications of urinary tract infections, a variety  of conditions have been reported to be associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Of these pre-term labor, low birth weight, prematurity, pre-eclampsia and chronic renal disease that have been cited as significant adverse obstetric outcomes. Thus, early detection and treatment can possibly decrease the occurrence of these effects. The relatively high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy, the adverse effects on the pregnancy, the opportunity to avoid sequelae with treatment; justify screening pregnant women for bacteriuria. Objectives are to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy, the type of bacteria causing the asymptomatic bacteriuria and the antibiotic sensitivity and resistance of the organism.

Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational study conducted at the Out Patient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Navodaya Institute of Medical Sciences, Raichur. All pregnant women with no genitourinary complaints, no histories of fever and without any intake of antibiotics for any indication during the current pregnancy were included in the study. The women were asked to submit urine specimens for culture and sensitivity tests.

Results: 200 pregnant women were studied of whom 7, (3.5 percent) were identified to have asymptomatic bacteriuria. The most common isolates were Escherichia coli (28.5 percent) Staphylococcus aureus (28.5 percent). The organisms were found to be sensitive to Amikacin, Cefoperazone, Ciprofloxacin and Cefaclor in decreasing order. The organisms were comparatively more resistant to amoxicillin.

Conclusion: Asymptomatic Bacteriuria during pregnancy may cause serious maternal and perinatal, morbidity. All pregnant women should be screened for bacteriuria by urine culture in their first visit and they should be treated if the results are found positive. So it is recommended to do urine culture as a routine screening during pregnancy.

Keywords: Asymptomatic Bacteriuria; Prevalence; Pregnancy.