Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in HIV Infected Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria *

Background: People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are more predisposed to urinary tract infections due to suppression of their immunity by the virus. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is associated with an increased risk of symptomatic urinary tract infection and the latter being an important contributor to development of chronic renal failure, hypertension and toxaemia of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in HIV-infected patients and proffer a recommendation on the need or otherwise to screen. Methods: This was a cross sectional study of treatment-naive HIV-infected patients attending the HIV clinics of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. A single voided aseptically collected mid-stream urine (MSU) was obtained from each patient and all samples processed immediately, were sent for urinalysis and culture. Isolates were considered significant if there were ≥105 colony forming unit/mL (CFU/mL) with 2 or less isolates, doubtful significance if 5 CFU/mL. Significant isolates were selected for identification. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Inc., Chicago, Ill). Results: A total of 156 consenting participants were recruited into the study. The mean age was 36.45 ± 8.65 years. There were 60 of 156 (38.4%) males and 96 of 156 (61.56%) females. Only 33 of 156 (21.2%) had significant bacteriuria, out of the 33 participants, 19 (57.8%) were asymptomatic, while 14 of 33 (42.4%) had significant growth but were symptomatic or on antibiotics. E. coli was isolated in 9 of 19 (47.3%), followed by Staph aureus 4 of 19 (21.05%). Conclusion: More than half of participants who had significant growth had asymptomatic bacteriuria, while one-fifth of all patients had significant growth. Considering this statistics, screening for or treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria may be recommended in all HIV-infected patients.