BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Tuberculosis (TB) remains to be prevalent in the Philippines and globally. Female genital tuberculosis has devastating and permanent consequences, hence, timely and adequate treatment is needed. Since more data regarding optimal duration of treatment of genital tuberculosis are needed, this study compares the treatment response at six months and after at least nine months of treatment, with the intention of determining the most practical management for genital tuberculosis.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted for newly diagnosed cases of genital tuberculosis who met the inclusion criteria. Treatment response was categorized into clinical, microbiologic, histologic, radiologic, and sonographic responses. Responses to treatment were evaluated as either partial or complete at the 6th month and after at least 9 months of treatment, and the proportions were compared.

RESULTS

Out of 140 charts retrieved, only 43 were included. Statistically significant difference was found only in clinical response, primarily due to patients who did not achieve resumption of menstruation within the f irst six months of treatment. The rest of the treatment responses and adverse drug events are equally the same for both time periods.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study show that the proportion of patients with microbiologic, histologic, radiologic, and sonographic response to treatment at the 6th month did not significantly differ to the proportion of patients who responded at the 9th or 12th month of treatment. This leads to a conclusion that the 6-month treatment regimen will be more practical in treating genital tuberculosis, except in amenorrheic premenopausal women who may warrant extension of treatment. Further studies on post-treatment rates of relapse and sonographic resolution are needed.

Human ; Female ; Tuberculosis, Female Genital ; Philippines

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and the most common causative agent of urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnant women having prenatal check-up at a tertiary hospital, as well as the antibiotic sensitivity of these organisms to selected antimicrobials that are currently recommended for use in the treatment of UTI in pregnancy (specifically Nitrofurantoin, Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Cefuroxime, Amoxicillin with Clavulanic acid). The results of this study will not only update the hospital’s biogram, it will also aid the physicians in prescribing patients with the most cost-effective regimen. Methodology: Patients seen at the outpatient department were included in the study starting May 2017 up to September 2017. Patients with previous antibiotic intake during the current pregnancy were excluded. A questionnaire containing demographic data, prenatal history, checklist for symptoms, and consent were provided for each patient. As per guidelines, urine gram stain and culture studies were requested during their prenatal visit. All urine specimen were sent to the same laboratory for microscopy and culture. Results were analyzed using SPSS v 23.0 Result: The prevalence of urinary tract infection in pregnant patients having prenatal care at a tertiary hospital in Manila was 15.6%. The most common isolates were still E. coli and Staphylococcus. Symptoms were not reflective of the presence of UTI and previous prenatal care did not affect the presence UTI. Analysis of sensitivity and resistance patterns of the isolated organisms showed increasing resistance to the commonly used antibiotics given to pregnant patients, especially Co-Amoxiclav. Cephalosporins, on the other hand, remain to have good sensitivity. Conclusion Urinary tract infection is prevalent among pregnant women having prenatal check up at a tertiary hospital. It is recommended that guidelines on the diagnosis of UTI in pregnancy be strictly followed so that management will be culture-guided, thus preventing the development of antibiotic resistance.
Urinary Tract Infections