A Case study of Group B Streptococcus Associated with Women in Antepartum Period and their Neonates, Ile Ife South-western Nigeria

Abstract

Streptococcus agalactiae colonizes the genital and gastrointestinal tract. In pregnancy, vertical transmission of GBS to the new-born can cause neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of GBS in pregnant women in their third trimester, frequency of neonatal colonization and Antibiotics Susceptibility of the isolates recovered at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) Ile- Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Rectum and vaginal swabs were collected from a total number of 24 third trimester pregnant women between 35 - 37 weeks of gestation and their neonate delivered at OAUTHC both at labour ward and labour ward theatre. The samples were cultured in Todd Hewitt Broth and sub cultured on sheep blood agar and Chromogenic Strepto BID agar and incubated at 37oC for 24 hours. Identification was based on the Gram staining, presence of β-haemolysis and absence of catalase production. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion methods. GBS colonization on average was confirmed in 27.8% of pregnant women and their neonate and proportion of GBS isolated from the vagina 6 (30%) as compared to rectum 7(35%), neonates 4 (20%), vaginal and neonate 1(5%), rectum and neonate 1(5%), and both vagina, rectum and neonate1 (5%). All isolates were found susceptible to 40% clindamycin 35% vancomycin, 90% ciprofloxacin 40% erythromycin and 100% resistance to penicillin used. There is need for proper handling of neonates by the health care practitioner and screening of pregnant women attending antenatal care, including known antibiotic Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation susceptibility for an appropriate antepartum antimicrobial prophylaxis can be offered.