Group B Streptococcus in Asymptomatic Pregnant Women at 35-37 Weeks of Gestation

Abstract

Background: A group B streptococcus bacterium is one of the principal cause for death and causing different comorbidities in both mother and their neonates. It inhabits without symptoms in vaginal and rectal areas of the body. There is a great variance in their inhabitant subjecting to topography, hence there is lack of data from Pakistan. Objective: To determine the prevalence of Group B Streptococcus in asymptomatic pregnant women at 35-37 weeks of gestation attending the antenatal clinic of JPMC Karachi. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Settings: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre JPMC Karachi Pakistan. Duration: Six months from 1st January 2018 to 30th June 2018. Methodology: 163 patients of asymptomatic pregnant women of gestational age 35-37 weeks were enrolled in the study after taking informed consent from patient, high vaginal swab (HVS) and rectal swab were collected from these patients, Presence of GBS was confirmed by standard microbiological studies including graham stain, catalase reaction and hemolytic activity on blood agar plate. Results: Mean age was 28.2 ± 4 years; Mean gestational age was 35.8 ± 0.78 weeks. In eleven (6.7%) women group B streptococcus was detected as compared to this one hundred. Conclusion: Group B Streptococcus colonization in asymptomatic pregnant women is present in our population so GBS infections in the prenatal and neonatal period might not be uncommon in Pakistan, so routine screening should be carried out.