Genital tract microbial isolate in women with preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes in resource-constrained community setting

Abstract

This study determined patterns of microbial isolates in genital tract of women with preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes (PPROM) compared with cases without PPROM. Endocervical swabs of women with confirmed diagnosis of PPROM were examined microbiologically and compared in blinded pattern with gestational-age-matched controls. One hundred and five microbiological results each for cases and controls were analysed. Positive microbial cultures were seen in 79.05% of cases versus 6.67% of controls. Streptococcus spp. (31.43%) was the commonest organism isolated in cases (p < 0.001), while Candida albicans was significantly more in controls (p < 0.001). The highest incidence of PPROM (82.86%) occurred in gestational ages of 28–30 and 34–36 weeks. No fewer than 75.24% cases occurred in low parity (0–2). Majority occurred in extremes of viable preterm gestation and in women of low parity.

Keywords::

• Controls
• endocervical swabs
• microbial agents
• PPROM
• positive cultures

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.