Anatomic and Functional Changes of the Upper Urinary Tract During Pregnancy

Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Pregnant People With Hepatitis C Virus

BACKGROUND

Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) during pregnancy can cure maternal HCV and prevent perinatal HCV transmission. The primary objective was to compare the pharmacokinetics (PK) of sofosbuvir (SOF)/velpatasvir (VEL) in pregnant versus nonpregnant people.

METHODS

Pregnant people with chronic HCV infection were enrolled between 23 and 25 weeks' gestation and were provided SOF/VEL daily for 12 weeks. PK visits were performed at 3, 6, and 9 weeks. VEL, SOF, and GS-331007 (the inactive metabolite of SOF) in plasma and the SOF active metabolite (007-TP) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and dried blood spots (DBSs) were measured and compared to historical data in nonpregnant people. Maternal adverse events, delivery outcomes, the sustained virologic response 12 weeks after therapy, infant adverse events, and HCV perinatal transmission were assessed.

RESULTS

Fourteen participants were screened, and 11 enrolled. One participant discontinued treatment due to worsening of hyperemesis. VEL area under the curve (AUC) was similar to historic data in nonpregnant people, but the AUCs of SOF and GS-331007 were 38% higher and 38% lower, respectively. Concentrations of 007-TP in PBMCs were comparable or higher, whereas 007-TP in DBSs was approximately 50% lower in pregnant versus nonpregnant people. All 10 participants who completed treatment had undetectable HCV RNA at delivery. Two participants were lost to follow-up after delivery, but 1 had an HCV RNA through clinical care. All participants with data were cured (n = 9) and none of the infants acquired HCV (n = 8).

CONCLUSIONS

SOF/VEL exposures were not clinically different in pregnancy and support further evaluation of antenatal SOF/VEL treatment.

Prevalence, Determinants, and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Urinary Tract Infections in Antenatal Women in an Urban Resettlement Colony and Slum in Delhi, India: A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection occurring in pregnant women with untreated, recurrent, and inadequately treated bacteriuria accentuating the risk of multiple adverse fetal and maternal health outcomes. The study objective was to determine the proportion of UTIs and their predictors along with antibiotic resistance patterns of causative organisms in pregnant women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 348 pregnant women in an urban resettlement and slum colony. Urine samples were examined through semi-quantitative culture on plated Mac Conkey and blood agar. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done on Muller Hinton agar using the modified Stokes' disc diffusion method.

RESULTS

At least one symptom related to UTI was reported by 35.7% (95% CI: 30.7-41.1) of the participants. The proportion of pregnant women detected having UTI on urine culture was 7.4% (n = 24, 95% CI: 5.1-10.8) with 13 (54.2%) asymptomatic and 11 (45.8%) symptomatic cases. Overcrowding was a significant predictor of UTI. The most common organisms detected were Escherichia coli (n = 12), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 7), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 3), and Acinetobacter species (n = 2).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of individual toilets and active screening for UTI through culture and sensitivity testing in pregnant women should be promoted in low-resource settings irrespective of symptoms. The initiation of presumptive antibiotic therapy for UTI cases in pregnant women should be restricted to painful micturition due to high false positivity of other symptoms with Nitrofurantoin being a likely preferred drug for empirical administration due to its low resistance pattern among isolated organisms.

Prevalence of urinary tract infections in pregnancy in rural Andean communities of Peru

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can adversely affect pregnancy, yet their prevalence in rural communities remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

For an initial evaluation of the UTI burden among pregnant women in the San Marcos province of rural Andean Peru, we aimed to determine the UTI prevalence in the region.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a subsample of 250 pregnant women enrolled in the Peruvian Andes Multigenerational High Altitude Cohort (ALTO) from 2021 to 2022.

METHODS

Structured questionnaires were administered to collect demographic, socioeconomic, maternal health and behavioural data. Urine samples were obtained for dipstick analyses. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between risk factors and UTI.

RESULTS

The study participants had a median age of 28 years (IQR: 22-33). A UTI prevalence of 27.6% (CI: 22.4%-33.5%) was observed, surpassing estimates from other regions of Peru. Notably, nearly all pregnant women (96%) utilised antenatal care (ANC) services at least once, primarily visiting health centres and community health posts where doctors and obstetricians were the main care providers. In this population, none of the risk factors exhibited statistically significant associations with UTIs.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the prevalence of UTIs among Andean pregnant women in San Marcos and underscores the critical need for routine UTI screening and treatment during ANC visits as recommended by national guidelines. While accessibility to ANC services is not a barrier in this region, enhancing the availability and quality of UTI screening services is crucial.

Urinary Tract Infections Spectrum During Pregnancy: Etiopathogenesis and Outcome

Background :The occurence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the course of a normal pregnancy should always be early diagnosed and treated, even asymptomatic as it could evolve to threatening pathological conditions, like sepsis with acute kidney injury, or preeclampsia. The aim of study was to establish a cartographic projection of the risk factors and etiopathogenesis of urinary tract infections diagnosed during pregnancy, with the purpose to control their severity and evaluate the therapeutic strategies used to reduce maternal and fetal risks.

Material and methods: The study included 175 patients, pregnant women, diagnosed with UTIs hospitalized in the Nephrology Clinic and Obstetrics-Gynecology Clinic of the Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Constanta, in an interval of time of 4 years, between 2017-2021.

Results: Out of the 247 patients recruited in our study, the distribution according to the trimester of pregnancy, there were : 72 pregnant women in the first trimester (41.14%), 35 in the second trimester (20.0%) and 68 in the third trimester (38.86%). The frequency of pregnant women who had other favorising conditions and detectable risk factors was 70.29%. The clinical manifestations of UTIs in our study group were distributed as follows : 36 (20.57%) asymptomatic bacteriuria, 56 (32.0%) acute cystitis, 44 (25.14%) recurrent lower urinary tract infections, and 39 (22.29%) acute pyelonephritis. There is an association (p ---lt--- 0.001) between the type of clinical form of UTIs and a certain trimester of pregnancy, for example the highest frequency of acute pyelonephritis (AP) was noticed in the third trimester of pregnancy (71.8%, 28/39). Out of 39 pregnant women with AP, 71.8% (28) had associated ureterohydronephrosis (UHN). E. Coli was present in 41.71% of pregnant women., followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis and, less frequently, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. The most frequently used antibiotics in pregnancy were: 2nd and 3rd generations of cephalosporins (42.29%), followed by ampicillin (34.29%); less used were amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (10.29%), quinolones (6.29%) and nitrofurantoin (6.86%). Most of the pregnant women (94.28%, 165/175) had remission of fever within 24-48 h of using appropriate antibiotic therapy. The recurrence rate was 22.28 %, (39/175).

Conclusion All clinical forms of UTIs could be present during pregnancy, but the most common are lower urinary tract infections and the most involved germ is E. Coli. UHN is a factor that influences the occurence of UTIs, being the most common favorising condition.

Urinary incontinence experiences of pregnant women: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

The research was carried out to determine the life experiences of pregnant women who have urinary incontinence problems.

METHODS

The type of the research is of qualitative type. Views of pregnant women were coded according to repeating frequencies; then thematic grouping was done. Both common views and individual repetitions of the pregnant women were coded. During the study, 52 pregnant women stated that they had urinary incontinence problems. However, five pregnant women did not want to participate in the study and six pregnant women wanted to leave during the interview. Interviews ended with 41 pregnant women.

RESULTS

In the study, the mean age of the pregnant women was determined as 29.75 ± 4.83, and the mean gestational week was 27.85 ± 5.60. The views of pregnant women are divided into five main themes and 16 sub-themes. The main themes for the urinary incontinence life experiences of pregnant women were determined as "strategies to take precautions, psychological effects, pregnancy and baby-specific effects, physical effects and changes in their relationship with the spouse."

CONCLUSION

As a result, it was determined that urinary incontinence problem negatively affected the life experience of pregnant women.

Clinical Predictors Implicated in the Incidence of Acute Pyelonephritis during the Antepartum Period: A Population-Based Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is a common infection during pregnancy that increases the risk of unfavorable maternal and fetal outcomes. However, it has not been clearly elucidated which demographic and clinical characteristics are associated with the incidence of APN during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

This population-based cohort study aimed to determine the risk factors for APN during pregnancy.

METHODS

Using the database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of South Korea, we enrolled Korean women who delivered infants between 2010 and 2014 in Korea and had complete health examination records within 1 year of pregnancy. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the risk factors for APN during pregnancy.

RESULTS

Of 370,248 women, 2,526 (0.7% of the total participants) were treated for APN while in hospitalization during pregnancy. Younger age, history of previous APN within 1 year of pregnancy, and abnormal results of health examination before pregnancy, such as high fasting glucose level (>100 mg/dL) and proteinuria, were associated with an increased risk of APN during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Certain maternal demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with the incidence of APN during pregnancy, and these should be monitored closely during antenatal care.

Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility profile and predictors of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women in Adigrat General Hospital, Northern Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE

Approach to asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women in Ethiopia is mainly based on clinical grounds and urine strip and microscopy tests. On top of this, the treatment is also on an empirical basis which may leads to an increased antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility profile and associated factors of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Adigrat Hospital, Northern Ethiopia.

RESULTS

Out of 259 pregnant women included in the study, the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was at 55 (21.2%). Gram negative bacteria, specifically Escherichia coli were the predominant isolates followed by Klebsiella species and Proteus mirabilis. Of the Gram positive identified bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus was main isolate. Age of the mother (18-25 years old) with [AOR = 8.5, 95% CI (2.2, 32.9)], family income (< 1000 ETB) with [AOR = 7.5, 95% CI = (2.4, 23.1)] and gestational period at 1st trimester [AOR = 11.9, 95% CI (4.4, 32.4)] and 2nd trimester [AOR; 5.6, 95% CI (2.0, 15.5%)] were predictors significantly associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria. All Gram negative isolates were found 100% resistance to Ampicllin. Moreover, all Gram positive isolates were found sensitive to Vancomycin at 100%.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Infections in a Pregnant Adolescent Population

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to identify risk factors associated with maternal infections and placental inflammation in pregnant adolescents attending an urban adolescent maternity clinic.

DESIGN

This cross-sectional, descriptive study used survey and medical chart data collected at entry and prospectively across gestation. The prevalence of maternal infections and placental inflammation was determined and potential risk factors were identified.

SETTING

Rochester Adolescent Maternal Program (RAMP) in Rochester, NY.

PARTICIPANTS

Racially and ethnically diverse pregnant adolescents (n = 158 ≤ 18 y at entry) were recruited.

INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Main outcome measures were diagnosis of an infection or inflammatory condition in relation to demographic, anthropometric, dietary, socioeconomic, and health data.

RESULTS

The three most prevalent infections diagnosed in this study population were recto-vaginal colonization of group B Streptococcus (GBS) (38%), bacterial vaginosis (BV) (40%) and candida (42%). African-American teens (AOR = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.74-13.02) and those with higher pre-pregnancy BMI (ppBMI; AOR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.04-1.31) were more likely to test positive for BV across gestation. Older maternal age decreased the likelihood of positive tests for trichomoniasis (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.26-0.92) and gonorrhea (OR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.16-0.82). Higher mean dietary vitamin D intake (mcg/d) was associated with a lower likelihood of testing positive for recto-vaginal GBS (OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77-0.98).

CONCLUSION

Addressing modifiable risk factors associated with dietary intake and pre-pregnancy weight may help reduce health disparities among pregnant minority adolescents. Additionally, targeted sexual health education may greatly benefit younger female adolescents.

Diabetes Mellitus has no Significant Influence on the Prevalence of Antenatal Asymptomatic Bacteriuria

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes is a known risk factor for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). However, the influence of diabetes on antenatal ASB was previously not addressed.

AIM

The prevalence of ASB, effect of risk factors and type of isolates and susceptibility patterns were studied in diabetic pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 311 pregnant women were recruited for this study of which 103 were diabetic and 208 non-diabetic. A clean catch midstream urine samples were collected and cultured. The isolates were identified and antibiotic sensitivity was studied. The data was analysed by Chi-square test.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ASB in diabetic pregnancy was 38.83% (40/10(3); 95% CI: 23.73 - 53.94) and in non-diabetic pregnancy was 37.98% (79/208; CI: 27.28- 48.68). The odds ratio was not significant 1.0225 (95% CU: 0.65 - 1.599; p=0.922) and associated factors such as age and gestational period had no effect. The major isolates were Escherichia coli (25.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (22.5%), Coagulase negative staphylococci (CONS) (20.00%), and Klebsiella pneumonia (20.00%) in diabetic pregnancy and CONS (31.7%), E.coli (24.0%) and K.pneumonia (16.5%) in non-diabetic pregnancy. The isolates of diabetic pregnancy showed highest susceptibility to nitrofurantoin (56.4%), gentamicin (38.5%) and cotrimoxazole (38.5%) whereas that of non-diabetic pregnancy to gentamicin (43.0%), azithromycin (32.9%) and norfloxacin (30.4). There was no significant (p<0.05) difference in the type and susceptibly of the isolates between diabetic and non-diabetic pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes has no significant influence on the prevalence of ASB in diabetic pregnancy both in terms of isolates and antibiotic susceptibility pattern.

Urinary tract infections in pregnancy: old and new unresolved diagnostic and therapeutic problems

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in pregnant women and pose a great therapeutic challenge, since the risk of serious complications in both the mother and her child is high. Pregnancy is a state associated with physiological, structural and functional urinary tract changes which promote ascending infections from the urethra. Unlike the general population, all pregnant women should be screened for bacteriuria with urine culture, and asymptomatic bacteriuria must be treated in every case that is diagnosed, as it is an important risk factor for pyelonephritis in this population. The antibiotic chosen should have a good maternal and fetal safety profile. In this paper, current principles of diagnosis and management of UTI in pregnancy are reviewed, and the main problems and controversies are identified and discussed.

Antibiotic sensitivity pattern from pregnant women with urinary tract infection in Bangalore, India

OBJECTIVE

To determine the antibacterial profile of pregnant women with urinaty tract infections and analyze the antibiotic sensitivity pattern for the effective treatment.

METHODS

A total of 395 urine samples from pregnant women with different gestational age were processed for the isolation of uropathogens and tested against eight groups of antibiotics namely penicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, macrolides, lincosamides, glycopeptides and sulfonamides.

RESULTS

A positive culture percentage of 46.6% was obtained with the highest urinary tract infection in third trimester gestational age. Among the uropathogens isolated, 85.6% were Gram negative and 14.4% were Gram positive with Escherichia coli as the predominant bacteria (43.9%) followed by Klebsiella oxytoca (19.4%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.3%). Antibiotic sensitivity assay revealed that amikacin had the highest overall sensitivity (n=136; 76.7%) and the subsequent highest sensitivity was observed with ciprofloxacin (n=132; 73.3%), clindamycin (n=124; 68.9%), cefotaxime (n=117; 65%) and nalidixic acid (n=115; 63.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings revealed that uropathogens were more resistant to penicillins, macrolides and glycopeptides which restrict their use in treating urinaty tract infections during pregnancy. In conclusion, common causative bacteria and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern are to be determined along with their safety to mother and fetus for the effective treatment of urinary tract infections during pregnancy.

Relaxin: new pathophysiological aspects and pharmacological perspectives for an old protein

Human relaxin-2 (hereafter simply defined as "relaxin") is a 6-kDa peptidic hormone best known for the physiological role played during pregnancy in the growth and differentiation of the reproductive tract and in the renal and systemic hemodynamic changes. This factor can also be involved in the pathophysiology of arterial hypertension and heart failure, in the molecular pathways of fibrosis and cancer, and in angiogenesis and bone remodeling. It belongs to the relaxin peptide family, whose members comprehensively exert numerous effects through interaction with different types of receptors, classified as relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors (RXFP1, RXFP2, RXFP3, RXFP4). Research looks toward the in-depth examination and complete understanding of relaxin in its various pleiotropic actions. The intent is to evaluate the likelihood of employing this substance for therapeutic purposes, for instance in diseases where a deficit could be part of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, also avoiding any adverse effect. Relaxin is already being considered as a promising drug, especially in acute heart failure. A careful study of the different RXFPs and their receptors and the comprehension of all biological activities of these hormones will probably provide new drugs with a potential wide range of therapeutic applications in the near future.

Acute antepartum pyelonephritis in pregnancy: a critical analysis of risk factors and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To test the incidence and sonographic parameters of pyelonephritis during pregnancy, and to examine risk factors and pregnancy outcomes of women with acute antepartum pyelonephritis.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective population-based study comparing all singleton pregnancies of patients with and without acute antepartum pyelonephritis was performed. Patients lacking prenatal care as well as multiple gestations were excluded from the study. Multiple logistic regression models were used to control for confounders.

RESULTS

Out of 219,612 singleton deliveries in 1988-2010, 165 women (0.07%) suffered from acute antepartum pyelonephritis. Abnormal sonographic findings were found in 85.7% of the patients with pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis was significantly associated with nulliparity (46.1% vs. 24.4%, p<0.001), younger maternal age (26.3 ± 6.0 vs. 28.6 ± 5.8 years, p<0.001), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (6.7% vs. 2.1%, p<0.001), placental abruption (3.6% vs. 0.7%, p<0.001), low 1 min Apgar scores (10.3% vs. 6.0%, p<0.05), urinary tract infection (UTI) (4.2% vs. 0.4%, p<0.001) and preterm delivery (less than 37 weeks gestation; 20.0% vs. 7.8%; p<0.001). Using a multivariable analysis, independent risk factors for acute antepartum pyelonephritis were nulliparity (OR 2.0; 95% C.I 1.4-2.9; p<0.001), UTI (OR 10.3; 95% C.I 4.8-22.1; p<0.001) and younger maternal age (OR 0.96; 95% C.I 0.93-0.99; p=0.009). Using another multivariable analysis, with preterm delivery as the outcome variable, acute antepartum pyelonephritis was found as an independent risk factor for preterm delivery (OR 2.6; 95% C.I 1.7-3.9; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Acute antepartum pyelonephritis is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and specifically is an independent risk factor for preterm delivery.

Does glomerular hyperfiltration in pregnancy damage the kidney in women with more parities?

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the glomerular hyperfiltration due to pregnancy in women with more parities.

METHODS

Five hundred women aged 52.57 +/- 8.08 years, without a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus or complicated pregnancy were involved in the study. They were divided into three groups. Group 1: women with no or one parity (n = 76); group 2: women with two or three parities (n = 333); group 3: women with four or more parities (n = 91). Laboratory parameters and demographical data were compared between the three groups.

RESULTS

Mean age, serum urea and serum creatinine were similar between three groups. Patients in group 3 had significantly higher GFR values compared to groups 1 and 2 (109.44 +/- 30.99, 110.76 +/- 30.22 and 121.92 +/- 34.73 mL/min/1.73 m(2) for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively; P = 0.008 for group 1 vs group 3; P = 0.002 for group 2 vs group 3).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, we suggest that glomerular hyperfiltration due to pregnancy does not have adverse effects on kidney in women with more parities. Pregnancy may have possible protective mechanisms for kidney against adverse effects of glomerular hyperfiltration.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections in pregnancy

Symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria is common in pregnant women. A history of previous urinary tract infections and low socioeconomic status are risk factors for bacteriuria in pregnancy. Escherichia coli is the most common aetiologic agent in both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection and quantitative culture is the gold standard for diagnosis. Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria has been shown to reduce the rate of pyelonephritis in pregnancy and therefore screening for and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria has become a standard of obstetrical care. Antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria is associated with a decrease in the incidence of low birth weight, but the methodological quality of the studies limits the strength of the conclusions that can be drawn. Debate exists in the literature as to whether treated pyelonephritis is associated with adverse fetal outcomes. There is no clear consensus in the literature on antibiotic choice or duration of therapy for infection. With increasing antibiotic resistance, consideration of local resistance rates is necessary when choosing therapy.