Microorganisms associated with intraamniotic infection among women with preterm birth at Ruhengeri Referral Hospital, Rwanda: A case control study

Abstract

Background Preterm birth could be a worldwide open well-being danger. It was assessed that each year 15 million neonates are born prematurely around the world, and 40% brought about from intrauterine infections. Methods A total of 40 women were selected. Of the 40 women, 20 had a premature birth, and the remaining 20 had a full-term birth. 120 Swab samples were collected from the placenta, amniotic uids, and fetal membrane immediately after birth. The sterile cotton swab was used to collect samples and put into swabs Stuart plastic to avoid sample contamination. Samples were transported to the clinical microbiology laboratory at INES Ruhengeri for microbiological investigation. Gram staining, culture, and biochemical tests were performed. The independent t-test was used to test for signi cant difference between means of the two groups, while the chi-square test (x 2 ) was used to test for signi cant association with microorganisms and intraamniotic infections. Results The ndings revealed that half of the participants were in the age range of 24–29 years. Non- Albicans Candida (32.7%) and mold (27.9%) were the foremost overwhelming con ned microorganisms. Some microorganisms were common to the placenta, amniotic uid, and fetal membrane. Only Non-Albicans Candida and mold were common to samples of both preterm and full-term women, Staphylococcus species was observed in placental and fetal membrane samples and absented in amniotic uid. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Streptococcus species, and Candida Albicans were only observed among women with preterm birth. To compare isolated microorganisms between both preterm and full- term birth, the signi cance test of mean was performed. There was a statistically signi cant difference between the two means in the amniotic uid isolates (t = 4.023, P = 0.006522), placental membrane isolates (t = 7.17, P = 0.000372), and fetal membrane isolates (t = 6.7, P = 0.000537). Association with microorganisms and intraamniotic infection was statistically signi cant with Escherichia coli (x 2 = 3.98, P = 0.046044), Streptococcus species (x 2 = 5.53, P = 0.018693), Yeast (x 2 = 8.37, P = 0.003815) and Candida Albicans (x 2 = 3.98, P = 0.046044). Conclusion Invasion of the amniotic uid, placenta, and fetal membranes by pathogenic microorganisms may be associated with the incidence of preterm labor and birth. Early diagnosis is recommended to avoid both maternal and fetal complications.