Asymptomatic bacteriuria in type 2 Iranian diabetic women: a cross sectional study

Between February 10, 2004 and October 15, 2004; 202 nonpregnant diabetic (type 2) women (range: 31 to 78 years old) with no abnormalities of the urinary tract system were included in this clinic based study. We defined ASB as the presence of at least 105 colony-forming units/ml of 1 or 2 bacterial species, in two separated cultures of clean-voided midstream urine. All the participants were free from any symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI). Associates for developing bacteriuria was assessed and compared in participants with and without bacteriuria.In this study, the prevalence of ASB was 10.9% among diabetic women. E. coli was the most prevalent microorganism responsible for positive urine culture. Most of the isolated microorganisms were resistant to Co-trimoxazole, Nalidixic acid and Ciprofloxacin. Pyuria (P < 0.001) and glucosuria (P < 0.05) had a meaningful relationship with bacteriuria but no association was evident between age (P < 0.45), duration of diabetes (P < 0.09), macroalbuminuria (P < 0.10) and HbA1c level (P < 0.75), and the presence of ASB.The prevalence of ASB is higher in women with type 2 diabetes, for which pyuria and glucosuria can be considered as associates. Routine urine culture can be recommended for diabetic women even when there is no urinary symptom.Diabetes leads to several abnormalities of the host defense system, and higher glucose concentration in urine may serve as a culture medium for pathogenic microorganisms as well. The risk of developing infection in diabetic patients is higher [1,2] and urinary tract is the most common site for infection [3,4]. Serious complications of urinary infection, such as emphysematous cystitis, pyelonephritis, renal or perinephric abscess, bacteremia and renal papillary necrosis occur more commonly in diabetic patients [5]. Many Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are asymptomatic and whether the symptomatic UTIs are preceded by asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is not known [6,7]. Development of ASB in d