The most common bacteria found in urine during pregnancy, particularly in cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs), is Escherichia coli (E. coli).
E. coli and UTIs in Pregnancy
E. coli is responsible for a significant majority of UTIs during pregnancy. Specifically, it causes 80% to 90% of UTIs in pregnant individuals. As stated in the provided reference, the same organism that causes UTIs in non-pregnant people is the most common culprit during pregnancy – namely, E. coli.
Why is E. coli so prevalent?
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Proximity: E. coli is naturally found in the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the close proximity of the urethra to the anus, it can easily contaminate the urinary tract.
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Adhesion: E. coli possesses certain adhesion factors that allow it to attach to the cells lining the urinary tract, making it easier to colonize and cause infection.
Other Bacteria
While E. coli is the most common, other bacteria can sometimes be present in urine during pregnancy. However, they are significantly less frequent causes of UTIs compared to E. coli.
